Book Bits: Jeaniene Frost, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Carolyn Crane, Caitlin Kittredge, Harry Potter & True Blood

In case you hadn’t noticed (ha!), we have a new look here at VBC. We’re trying something cleaner that matches our new group blog vibe. I hope you like it and find it easy to interact with. Now on to awesome book news…

Cat and Ian Banter!
Jeaniene Frost has posted the first excerpt from the seventh Night Huntress novel Up from the Grave and it features Cat and Bones talking with that walking complication Ian. In other words, it’s delightful. There is a spoiler at the end if you haven’t read The Bite Before Christmas. Otherwise, it’s totally safe to read without getting spoiled. Also, did I mention it’s delightful? (I missed Cat.)

Inside Styxx’s Head
Sherrilyn Kenyon is offering up an excerpt from Styxx on her Facebook page, but it’s more than just a snippet. In this excerpt she’s sharing Styxx’s point of view of a scene from Night Embrace. As a matter of fact, you’ll see Acheron’s side of things from Night Embrace on the left and Styxx’s side on the right. It’s pretty awesome. There are, however, spoilers for Night Embrace. So, be warned there.

A Little More Disillusionists
Carolyn Crane decided the end of the Simon novella Devil’s Luck needed something more, an epilogue specifically. She’s posted the epilogue online for your reading pleasure—it takes place 17 years after the end of the novella—and it’s been added to new editions of Devil’s Luck. So, if you were to buy the novella from Amazon today, you’d get the version with the epilogue.

Start Reading Dark Days
You can read the first two chapters of Caitlin Kittredge’s new Black London novel Dark Days right now. Yay for excerpts, right? Join Pete and Jack as a revolution is brewing in Hell. Dark Days releases on April 30 (order it here).

Let’s Talk About Snape
I absolutely adored this piece on Tor.com about why Severus Snape is not a hero or an anti-hero or really deserving of your fawning. He is a brilliant and rich character, but isn’t worthy of your adoration. The article covers his obsession with Lily Potter (not love, and the poster explains why), his poor teaching and general creep-o vibe. It’s a great post that both illustrates how effective a character Snape is in the Harry Potter series and points out his deep flaws that often get overlooked in the fandom. Worth the read.

Waiting Sucks. Have Some Man Candy.
True Blood will be back on HBO in June. We have the final Sookie book releasing before then. (Did you pre-order Dead Ever After? What kind of happily ever after are you hoping for?) In the meantime, we can enjoy some teaser-y goodness. First, I posted 20 reasons to be excited for Season 6 of True Blood over at Heroes & Heartbreakers. Hint: It’s all photos, videos and gifs and most of them people are at least half naked. (It is a H&H post.)

Or you can watch this first snippet from the new season featuring Jason and Sookie.