Rating: 
Summary: Really good book I found by accident
Review: I went to the library to get some paperbacks to entertain me in the evenings during a week-long conference. I found this one - and once I started it, it was difficult to put down. I stayed up until 12:30 one night finishing it.This book has just the right amount of fantasy for my tastes. Just enough to be enchanting, but not so much that you can't imagine yourself in such a world. One thing I really liked was the way that none of the characters were entirely good or evil. Even the worst of the antagonists had events in their past that shaped their characters. I really liked this & would recommend it highly. I hope the rest of her books are as enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Quirky urban fantasy
Review: I've already read this book twice. It is a definite "keeper". I remember how elated I was to see her second novel, "The Silent Strength of Stones". This is an author I will follow eagerly. My only regret is that she hasn't written more novels already! The book is a lovely blend of romance and comedy, with just the right dash of darkness to balance against the sweetness. Somewhat reminescent of Zenna Henderson's "The People", these are modern day witches with a definite 90's feel. You go, girl
Rating: 
Summary: Not serious but not funny. Flat characters.
Review: I've liked a couple short stories by this author quite a bit but I couldn't finish this book (I did get more than halfway through by forcing myself). Most stories are either serious or funny and this story was neither. I found the characters very uninteresting, especially the main character who seems to have some sense of honor but could just be called "Generic Witless Good Guy With Special Powers He Has No Idea How To Use". The final thing that stopped me reading the book was the bad pun on the family names of :Locke, Bolte, Seale, and Keye. I would say if you're looking for a serious ghost story or story about the supernatural, DO NOT read this book. If you're looking for a funny ghost story DO NOT read this book. Actually I'm not sure why anyone would want to read this tepid, urban fantasy.
Rating:
Summary: Quite possibly my favorite book ever.
Review: If you can find it, get it! I put this at the top of my "obscure books" list, though I wish it were off the list. There's a small-press version which is bundled with short stories as well, which are wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: An enthralling and original tale of magic
Review: Like several other reviewers here, I bought this second-hand, intending to only read it once. I'm not going to let it go now! Her characters are three-dimensional, and it is clear how even the most dangerous of the "bad guys" became the way they were. You feel empathy for the villain who is struggling to reform after suffering a role reversal. The magic is well thought out - a race of Ilmonish (sorcerers) who are struggling to keep their failing bloodline pure in a modern worldfind that the younger generations are either crippled in their powers or corrupted by them. All that holds them together is tradition - the thread that binds the bones. All this changes when a (literally) ghost-driven wanderer stumbles across their community and finds a soulmate in the weakest daughter of the Family. Possibly descended from the "lost tribes" who stayed in europe, he discovers that he too has powers he has no idea how to use. Then there is the whole culture of the ancestor-worshipping Ilmonishti, whose ghosts guide their descendants, which I find refreshingly different from the usual fantasy cliches. There is much that leaves room for a sequel, with a few unresolved plot threads left to be hinted at - does old Bert have a touch of Ilmonish blood? will Carroll ask to be transformed again? and will Tom heal himself? Character motivations are well written throughout the story, and I long for a sequel to show where the families of Locke, Bolte, Seale and Keye are heading.
Rating:
Summary: delicious!
Review: Once in a while you run across a book (or an author) that just kind of melts like butter to the hot knife of your reading pleasure. A can't-put-down, up-til-three, tour d'force that you think about for days, weeks, after finishing, wishing that the story hadn't ended. Much like "Tamlin" by Pamela Dean, I just love the characters in this book. They're so easy to get along with, and the ideas running through it about fantasy and ghostly presences remind me of a fantasy version of Neal Stephenson. Must read, must read again.
Rating:
Summary: delicious!
Review: Once in a while you run across a book (or an author) that just kind of melts like butter to the hot knife of your reading pleasure. A can't-put-down, up-til-three, tour d'force that you think about for days, weeks, after finishing, wishing that the story hadn't ended. Much like "Tamlin" by Pamela Dean, I just love the characters in this book. They're so easy to get along with, and the ideas running through it about fantasy and ghostly presences remind me of a fantasy version of Neal Stephenson. Must read, must read again.
Rating: 
Summary: Lyrical but simple--a great read
Review: This has become one of my all time favorites because it's such a simple, beautiful book--Hoffman has a gift for imagery that is quite rare. It's a pretty basic plot--boy who doesn't understand his magical powers meets girl who understands (but denies) hers--but with an imaginative approach that makes this book unique. I've read the sequel, The Silent STrength of Stones, where she takes the approach further, and it's good but just not as fresh as this book. I highly recommend them both, but definitely start with this one!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: This is a fantastic book by a fantastic author. Nina Hoffmanmanages to create a truly enthralling dark fantasty. In my mind sheis one of the best writers I have read, and I eagerly await future books.
Rating:
Summary: Short sweet story
Review: This is a nice feelgood novel in a modern fantasy setting. It is part ghost story, part romance, and a little bit of cool magic stuff happening. The author's depiction of the nature of the magic makes for some interesting reading. The characters, while not phenomenal, are interesting enough to keep you interested while the plot advances at a rapid pace. The plot is a lot of fun, as it morphs from a seemingly simple "man finds out he has cool magic powers" to more of a mystery confrontation. Without spoiling the ending, it's sufficient to say that strange things are afoot that make it well worth reading to the end.
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