Bride of the Rat God by Barbara Hambly Hollywood, 1923: Chrysanda Flamande is young, beautiful, sought-after, and rich. A famous star of the silent screen, Chrysanda has it all -- including, although she does not know it, a cursed necklace that has marked her for death at the hands of the Rat God. Barbara Hambly works her usual magic in this entertaining adventure. No single character is less than three-dimensional, from the vain, shallow, yet good-hearted film star and her dignified sister-in-law, Norah (through whose eyes we follow the tale), to the shifty producer, the mysterious Chinese gentleman, and the kind and sharp-witted cinematographer who holds the key to healing Norah's bruised soul. Bride of the Rat God has humor -- and with such a title, it would have to -- but it also has depth, suspense, and fire. Early Hollywood is brought vividly to life, and as the tale unfolds it becomes less and les improbable that an ancient Manchurian demon can wreak havoc with a modern film star's life. Hambly's most recently published book is Icefalcon's Quest, the sequel to Mother of Winter. Her latest, Fever Season, is due out in July. I have yet to read any of these works. I have read and can heartily recommend Stranger at the Wedding, Those Who Hunt the Night, The Ladies of Mandrigyn, The Silent Tower, and The Silicon Mage. More on these titles is forthcoming. Well, caffeine may be a drug for you, but for me it's the stuff of life, right up there with chocolate and gin and that adorable saxophone player at the Grove. (Chrysanda Flamande)   Return to Lissa's Library Return to the BIG List Have a look at my Favorite Book