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The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady (King Henry Tapes #1)

by Richard Raley (Goodreads Author)

4.15 of 5 stars 4.15 · rating details · 61 ratings · 20 reviews

King Henry Price is fourteen, he loves everything he's not supposed to and hates everything he's supposed to. One day after his usual hour of detention he comes home to find an enigmatic woman named Ceinwyn Dale sitting in his kitchen, telling his parents lies about a special reform school. What she tells King Henry is different, she tells him he’s a mancer, a Geomancer to...more

Kindle Edition, 271 pages

Published September 1st 2011 (first published August 29th 2011)

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Apr 07, 2012 Diana (Offbeat Vagabond) rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adventure, fantasy, favorites, humor, kickass, paranormal, requested, science-fiction, urban-fantasy, vampires, mancer

Review posted here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/04/indie-book-review-foul-mouth-and-fanged.html

The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady is about a fourteen year old kid named King Henry Price. Oh, I know. And just like the original King Henry, this King Henry has quite the rep. He curses so much he puts sailors to shame, acts like a dog in heat when it comes to girls and steals anything he can fit in his backpack. King Henry and his family get a visit from a woman named Ceinwyn Dale. She...more Review posted here: http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/2012/04/indie-book-review-foul-mouth-and-fanged.html

The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady is about a fourteen year old kid named King Henry Price. Oh, I know. And just like the original King Henry, this King Henry has quite the rep. He curses so much he puts sailors to shame, acts like a dog in heat when it comes to girls and steals anything he can fit in his backpack. King Henry and his family get a visit from a woman named Ceinwyn Dale. She tells his parents about a special school that can help King Henry. His parents jump on this lie and want King Henry to take the opportunity. The school is special, but it is for kids with very special powers. Mancers. There are all types of mancers and King Henry might just be a Geomancer, who are rare and very powerful. And he might be the most powerful one.

After years of training, he is grown up and thought he was done with the Asylum for the most part. Until he gets a visit from a vampire who says she is the Anne Boleyn and needs King Henry's help to find an artifact. King Henry thinks she is nuts and doesn't want to give his help up easily. He knows he is being played with, but is it by Annie B. or Ceinwyn. King Henry doesn't like being a pawn.

Man, what a story this was. Raley says this is Harry Potter meets Pulp Fiction. That pretty much nails it. This isn't a story for young adults though. It is pretty raunchy and bloody and a whole lot of fun.

King Henry isn't the typical hero. He has an attitude, says whatever is on his mind, disrespectful, selfish, but you still root for him. He has a heart, it is just buried under a bunch of other crap. You have his mentor Ceinwyn who you aren't sure you should trust. She is an Aeromancer, she can control the air. But there are times when you see that she cares for King Henry and she knows how to put up with his tantrums. Annie B. was a sex-crazed nutcase and she was scary. But I love the push-and-pull between her and King Henry. They definitely had chemistry even when King Henry was trying to save himself and his manhood.

I love this story so much. This is definitely something very new and fresh. I love the idea of Mancers, so many different kinds that can control all sorts of elements. It does remind me a bit of the X-Men.The Mancers use different elements to pool their power, or what they call anima. This is very powerful and most can't handle it, except for King Henry which is why he is so popular. Raley did such a great job with this concept. I also love that Raley added his spin to vampires. They aren't humans who were turned or born that way. Instead, vampires are actual blood creatures. They use humans as a host and can shape themselves into weapons. I love that! God, that is brilliant!

I love how this became a little like Indiana Jones just with ancient vampires. King Henry has to find a weapon that uses so much anima that is creates earthquakes. It is impossible for an object to hold so much power and it all the more reason why King Henry needs to find it. Someone with that kind of power can destroy the world.

This book truly took me by surprise. It was so unique and hilarious. I laughed so hard, I had tears. I love the idea of King Henry recollecting all he knows through videotapes for the Asylum. This would make a very fun TV series. I would love that. It is action packed and surprisingly heartfelt at times. Of course, it doesn't last long because King Henry has the tendency to ruin it. If you are looking for a different supernatural story that is full of laughs and action, look no further, it is right here. Richard Raley, thank you for your creativeness. Check this out today, it is only $0.99!(less)

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Nov 11, 2011 Ron rated it 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure of this book when I got into it, which only goes to prove how sometimes you just can’t go cover shopping: because, could you please say “LOVE” a little louder?

King Henry Price is the narrator behind this title, putting his life on tape as part of a project for us to listen to. The style is fluid, conversational, and if this were to be turned into an audiobook, it’d feel exactly as if you were listening on to the tapes, on both sets. That’s how good the author has been at capturing...more I wasn’t sure of this book when I got into it, which only goes to prove how sometimes you just can’t go cover shopping: because, could you please say “LOVE” a little louder?

King Henry Price is the narrator behind this title, putting his life on tape as part of a project for us to listen to. The style is fluid, conversational, and if this were to be turned into an audiobook, it’d feel exactly as if you were listening on to the tapes, on both sets. That’s how good the author has been at capturing King Henry’s voice.

I did say two sets, by the way. There’s one, narrated by King Henry right out of the Institution, the Asylum... the “real”, twisted version of Howarts (I’m getting to that in a moment), where he remembers how it was when he joined in the fun, back when he was 14 and a thug and a delinquent in the making. And then there’s the second set, narrated by an older, responsible King Henry, who even has a daughter and loves her and everything, but who gets into the mind of his twenty-two year old self to tell us why he’s so damn famous. Or infamous. Both sets are mixed, in that we read about Asylum entry and then into meeting Anne B., and then back into classes and then forward into... I realize this might sound confusing, but here’s the thing: it works. It’s seamless and it’s perfect, the way we go from kind angry with the world to adult to youth who starts to stand on his own, and then little by little we bridge the gap until we’re left with nothing but King Henry Price.

Good news? There’s still a lot of bridging to do, from the end of his first infamous venture to the moment where he has a girl of his own and a semblance of respectability. And I can’t wait to read how that goes!

Now, I mentioned Howarts. No, really, it’s an easy analogy but you’d better get it out of your head. Boarding school for people with special talents, and there the similarities end. Because that’s where the magic, or rather, the Mancy system takes on a most original turn. Nothing is easy, flashy things costs too much energy, and first of all: you’ve to recharge, so you’re a one trick kind of deal. King Henry will explain this much, much better, but I loved the complex system devised in this book, with all the schools and levels and specialties.

Similarities also end, by the way, because King Henry is nothing like Harry Potter (though he mentions the lightning bolt boy a time or two). The book’s titled “Foul mouth” for a reason, I warn you. King Henry is crass, abrasive, too full of attitude, like a pot of shimmering anger about to go off and send everyone half a mile around straight to hell... But he matures, and while he still loves the f-bomb, he learns to care. And he’s got brains. Both book smart and street savvy, he can handle the Mancy like no one... except perhaps Miss Dale, his protector and role model, with whom a rather tender relationship blooms in spite of everything. I liked Miss Dale, she was airy and sharp and detached, but in the end she was all she needed to be to reach King Henry. That’s saying something!

I even loved Annie B., and now, that’s a relationship funny to explore: she and King Henry, all the time mistrusting and threatening and hitting each other (please, note how I didn’t write hitting on each other) but coming through in the end. Understanding, I think.

The plotline itself might seem simple, in a way that you’re not taken in long detours that have you looking at the wrong developments, but in the straight to the point, keep the tension up kind of way. And since the characters and the world aren’t simple at all, I’m grateful. Besides, let’s not forget that this is Henry – sorry, King Henry – recording his tapes: he’d not dilly-dally. He’d go straight to the action, cut to the chase. He’ talk just as this book is written.

I received this book for review back in the first of September (no comments about the length of my TBR queue, please) and it’s true that there were some typos sprinkled here and there. They were typos in the real sense, no grammar mistakes, except that one “you’re” that should have been a “your”, and except in that one instance, they didn’t really bother me – I didn’t stop reading to note them, didn’t have to re-read anything, hardly realized they were there. They might or might not have been edited since I got my copy, but even if they’re still there, this story is just too damn good to pass.

So, my verdict: Recommended read? Hell, yeah! 5 stars book all the way! (less)

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Mar 12, 2012 Vanessa Booke rated it 5 of 5 stars

If you’re looking for a FANSTATIC novel to read, look no further because The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady by Richard Raley is one that you will never be able to put down! Personally, I have never been a fan of vampire and fantasy books, but this one was far beyond any I have ever read. It wasn’t your average “Twilight, sparkly, romance” story, which, in my opinion was a good thing LOL The book jumps back and forth between King Henry Prince, the main character’s, life as a troubled fourteen yea...more

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Apr 01, 2013 C.L. Bevill rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was recommended this novel by a facebook fan. It's not for everyone. It's horror/fantasy/urban fantasy and how to describe it would be to say, "A horny Harry Potter meets Quenton Tarantino." King Harry Price is the kid of the piece and he's not very nice. He gets recruited for a special school and away he goes. But it's not Hogwarts.

Pros: humor is great, the writing is fresh, the author doesn't subscribe to all the rules.

Cons: the timing skips around in the beginning, hopping from King Harry'...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Mrs.Norman rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of fantasy

Shelves: fantasy, vampires, lycans-shifters-etc, mancers

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Mar 23, 2013 ABookVacation rated it 1 of 5 stars

1.5 stars

Not for me. I was intrigued by the premise, and I really enjoyed the back and forth nature, where the narrator tells readers about his life at 14 and then switches to his current life, but the language and humor isn't my style. King Henry Price has had a difficult life, and I understand the angst and hatred he carries, but his obsession with sex, the middle finger, and words for certain body parts put me off of the story as a whole. I think it's well written, and the characterization is...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Franjessca rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-to-review, requested-reviews, books-read-in-2011, urban-fantasy, indie

I was skeptical at first to read this kind of book, but once I started reading, I really got into it. First off, this was the first book I read where it takes you into different time periods of someone and the person is recording the story. You learned about the main character, King Henry Price (Yes...that's his name) from his 14 year old self and then at 22 years old. At 14 years old you found out how Henry's life is with his parents and when he met Ceinwyn Dale who happened to be tracking Manc...more I was skeptical at first to read this kind of book, but once I started reading, I really got into it. First off, this was the first book I read where it takes you into different time periods of someone and the person is recording the story. You learned about the main character, King Henry Price (Yes...that's his name) from his 14 year old self and then at 22 years old. At 14 years old you found out how Henry's life is with his parents and when he met Ceinwyn Dale who happened to be tracking Mancers to save them from themselves and teach them their powers at a Asylum that she wants Henry to go to. She can't save everyone though and you find out who she is unable to save in the book. That is when Henry learns he is a Mancer himself and he's particularly a "Geomancer". At 22 years old, we learn how Henry has grown out of his "Foul Mouth Teenage self" and now is trying to make a living out of the Asylum running a Antique Shop, but with a twist on his real powers as a Mancer. That is when he is approached by a Vampire (The Fanged Lady), Annie B who needs his help...and she won't take any answer, but yes. I was a little thrown off at first on going back and forth to Henry at 14 when he was just going into the Asylum and when he was 22 and he was battling Vampires with Annie B. After a while though, I knew why the book was the way it was. It actually was better to go back and forth because you learned a little more about the character Henry and why he was the way he was. You also learned what he went through when he was younger. He didn't have a easy life and it was better for him to attend the Asylum and get away from his family. I actually felt terrible for him for what his parents put him through. He didn't really have an adult to take care of him. My favorite character though would be Annie B...which learn in the story is really Anne Boleyn. Really? Anne Boleyn? How could that be? Well..when you read the book you find out a different point of view of Vampires and some other characters that will have you in shock. Richard Raley definitely did his research and I love the fight scene at the end with Annie B, Joan d'Arc and King Henry Price. Yes I typed Joan d'Arc. She's really in there too. Annie B was a sassy, kick ass character that knew how to put Henry in his place. She also knew how to throw down and happened to scare the crap out of Henry in the story. She scared me too. For my first Indie Book...I have to say I'm glad I read this book first. Maybe I'll branch out more and read some more books in this genre now. I gave this book 4 stars. I would give it 5 stars...but I usually give a book 5 stars that had me on the edge of my seat. That's the only thing I didn't get from this book...but that doesn't mean it's not good. I recommend this book to anyone who likes the Urban Fantasy or Indie Genre's. Thank you Richard Raley for giving me a chance to read your book and reviewing it. I definitely want to read the next book in the series when it comes out. King Henry Price sure knows how to tell his story. =) (less)

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Mar 10, 2013 Tabitha Ormiston-Smith rated it 4 of 5 stars

From the moment I started reading this book I had that special feeling. That little shiver down the spine as one's fur stands up just a little bit, realising that one is onto something completely new. It's fresh, it's original and it's well written.

The action moves right along and I could hardly put this book down. In addition. Mr Raley has done a wonderful job of capturing the inchoate anger of the slum-dwelling bogan, while refraining from stereotyping. All in all a thoroughly good read and I...more

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Aug 13, 2012 Bridget rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book, can't wait for sequels! It was well written, great pacing, enjoyed the way the author told the story in three time periods of the main character's life. He made me want to read more about things and people that were mentioned. Lots of action and lots of character detail. This book reminded me of one my favorite series of all time, The Dresden Files. I think the reason for that was the hero who was broken but never beaten and the world in which magic lives along side the mundane...more

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Aug 03, 2012 jD rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 4-meb_ya, 2012, 2012_5-stars, 2_kindle_own, 6_new-series, genre_fantasy

I loved this book. It took forever to get it finished as I was doing a buddy read. Never Again.

The Foul Mouth is King Henry Price. Yes, his name is King Henry. He is a geomancer. The mancy is quite different from the magic of wizards and mages in that the mancers are human. King Henry is growing up in a trailer park when he is discovered. He is invited to go to a special school for children with the gift. He doesn't really understand what he is but he knows something is different. First problem...more I loved this book. It took forever to get it finished as I was doing a buddy read. Never Again.

The Foul Mouth is King Henry Price. Yes, his name is King Henry. He is a geomancer. The mancy is quite different from the magic of wizards and mages in that the mancers are human. King Henry is growing up in a trailer park when he is discovered. He is invited to go to a special school for children with the gift. He doesn't really understand what he is but he knows something is different. First problem for King Henry is that he is 14 and older than most other students. The second problem is he doesn't embrace the concept of rules and social graces. He will fight just to fight. We later learn this is because of his mancy. The school will put you in the mind of Hogwart but only by concept, it's quite different where it counts.

The story is told by King Henry in flashbacks. He talks about his seven years of school and opening his own shop to sell mancy enhanced artifacts. Alongside his school day flashbacks, we are told of his meeting of the Fanged Lady. Her name is Anne B. Think on that one for a minute -- King Henry and Anne B. Yeah, that was funny and she is not the only historical figure that steps on the battlefield. None the less, she is a vampire and not fanged. The vampires in King Henry's world are blood living in a host. If you kill the host, they just leave to grab another one but mostly they fix the one they live in if they can. It is craziness! The blood comes out to feed.

The story is very funny. King Henry is 21 when he meets Anne B and their little adventure to find a rare artifact have the two of them trying to kill each other more than once. There are a few emotional moments when King Henry tells of events that shaped his life. He is a strong little cuss but he has a heart that peeks out here and there.

Although it stars a little slow, it picked up and gave me a thrill. When I read the ending I knew I could do no less that 5 stars.(less)

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Apr 29, 2012 Mary rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: own, paranormal, favorites, urban-fantasy

My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady - the first book in the King Henry Tapes series by Richard Raley is the story about a geomancer named King Henry Price. Yeah, you have to love that name! I wanted to sing 'Henry the Eighth I am" right away...
The story is told in first person and in 'tape sessions'. I still remember making tapes for my aunt living overseas instead of writing letters... but I guess I remember that, because I'm kinda OLD. Of course today you would vid...more My rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady - the first book in the King Henry Tapes series by Richard Raley is the story about a geomancer named King Henry Price. Yeah, you have to love that name! I wanted to sing 'Henry the Eighth I am" right away...
The story is told in first person and in 'tape sessions'. I still remember making tapes for my aunt living overseas instead of writing letters... but I guess I remember that, because I'm kinda OLD. Of course today you would video-chat with your aunt overseas or stuff like that I've never learned.
There are two parallel tape sessions in the book. The first told by 14 year old Henry - the next by 20-something old Henry.
King Henry is a great (anti)hero. He is short and a smart mouth. He is cursing a LOT, has a good sense of humor and (hidden under his attitude) also his heart in the right place.

In the first tape session Henry tells about his life, when he was 14 and was told by Ceinwyn Dale - the recruiter of the Institution of Elements - he is 'special' and should join the Institution to learn how to use his skills. It's a lot of fun reading about little Henry cursing like an old sailor and his first time in the Institution - and no - it's absolutely not like Harry Potter - believe me. The story feels much more realistic and fun. Little perfect/douchebag Harry would meet King Henry and would be punched in the nose, I guess ;-)

In the second tape session an older Henry who just finished his education at the Institute has opened an Artificer shop, when one day a Vampire baroness walks in his shop and demands his help... This story was really a LOT of fun. All grown-up Henry meets a real Vampire for the first time... and suprise! They're not sparkling!!
I loved 'The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady' but I have to admit it took me a bit to get into the way King Henry told his story and get used to all the cursing. But after a while the story really sucked me in and I read until 3AM to finish it. If you want to laugh until you cry (I did!) ...I can recommend this book to all Urban Fantasy fans out there - well, to those who are not squeamish about the cursing ;-)
(less)

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Dec 29, 2011 Jennifer Bielman (Reading and Writing UF and PNR) rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: All urban fantasy readers

Shelves: reviewed, favorites, self-published, adult, urban-fantasy

The Good
Okay, before we get to the nitty gritty, let me just tell you what Raley's elevator pitch is for his book: Harry Potter meets Pulp Fiction. So, you can say my mind was officially blown from that little statement. How the heck can a book be the combination of these two totally opposite films/books? Well, Raley did the impossible because I can't think of a better statement that sums up this book.

The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady is now all cozy in my shelf of the top ten favorite books...more

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Sep 07, 2012 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-reader, free, urban-fantasy, lendable-kindle

Harry Potter for grown-ups.

I really enjoyed this book, much more than I thought I would from the synopsis.

I look forward to reading the next in the series.

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Aug 27, 2012 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

It took me a while to get in to this book as it jumped around a lot in the beginning and was a bit slow. Once the pace picked up, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. It was very entertaining and had me laughing out loud throughout it. I look forward to reading the next installment!

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Dec 07, 2012 Sean rated it 5 of 5 stars

Most of the other reviews here have already stolen the words I would have used, but I do want to reinforce the fact that this is a great book, and I'm actually upset with myself that I waited this long to read it. I love well thought out magic systems, and this is a perfect example. King Henry himself is one of the more entertaining "heroes" I've ever encountered. And I'm a bit of a foul mouth myself, so what's not to love?!

Anyway, I loved this book, but yeah, you had better know before you star...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Lori rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fun little book. Looking forward to more King Henry Price!

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Feb 24, 2013 Sheri rated it 5 of 5 stars

love love love this book! its like Hogwarts, bug in real life. fantastic!

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Dec 15, 2012 Kate marked it as to-read

Shelves: urban-fantasy, fantasy

Free on Amazon today.

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Feb 01, 2012 Rebecca rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, from-author

Review to come!

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Apr 15, 2013 Jaime Hendrickson rated it 1 of 5 stars

I still haven't finished it...I cannot get into this book at all. I'm gonna give it one more shot.

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May 18, 2013 Bobby Crowe marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 E. marked it as to-read

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May 14, 2013 Legato Darksummers added it

Shelves: daddy-dark-s-baby-warrior-list

May 12, 2013 Deanna Stanley rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 09, 2013 Angela marked it as e-books

May 08, 2013 Mrstolz rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 06, 2013 Dawn marked it as to-read

Shelves: kindle

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Shelves: nook

May 05, 2013 Angel marked it as to-read

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About Richard Raley

Richard Raley was born and raised in Fresno, California and even still lives there on account of the city being an evil vortex you can't escape. He grew up on Star Wars, Transformers, Legos, and Everquest--he never escaped them either. His rise to fame/infamy began with "The Foul Mouth and the Fanged Lady", the first book of THE KING HENRY TAPES, an Urban Fantasy Series that has been described as...more

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Books by Richard Raley

The Foul Mouth and the Cat Killing Coyotes (The King Henry Tapes #2)

The Betrothal: Or How I Saved Alan Edwards From 40 Years of Hell

Little King Henry (King Henry Shorts, #1), (The King Henry Tapes, #1.5)

The Foul Mouth and the Troubled Boomworm (The King Henry Tapes, #3)

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