Title: Vampire Librarian Author: Kristin Kova Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again) Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2022
I really wanted to like this story because it was a great premise and a really good start. But, I got six chapters into the story and just still didn’t care one bit about the lead and the outcome of the story. Which, if I get that far through the story, I tend to just DNF it, I mean, there are so many that hook me in immediately. Why not read one of them?
I love that throughout this short story, Charlie is trying to figure out how his school and personal life fit together. He also has the added challenges of racism to contend with and people’s assumptions. And there’s a bit of a paranormal aspect that he also has to figure out how to balance.
In his journey to figure out how to move in the world, I love that Charlie’s attention switches from racist Helen to lovely Andie. I also love that Andie is not only interested in engaging with his family and culture, but also that she just jumps onboard the supernatural train and tries to help him.
The Slender One is not just about growing up and figuring out your own identity, there is also the spirits of the departed an dhow they try to move on to the next life. I love that in this it’s food which is a vessel for comfort and happiness. And using this, those who have left this world with unfinished business are able to move on.
Title: Shadowed Flame Author: R.J. Blain Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy Pace: Fast Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2016
I really like when lead characters in a story are differently abled in some way, shape or form. In the case of Shadowed Flame, Matia is colourblind. I never really thought about how much influence colour actually has on our day to day lives. And what kinds of challenges this can lead to. I honestly hadn’t thought all that much about it, and now I want to read more stories featuring a colourblind lead!
This story was a little bit instalove, but at least they spend the majority of this story actually trying to get to know one another. And, it takes the majority of this story to actually consummate their relationship. It’s fun to learn more about both characters as the story unfolds. It’s obvious from the beginning that Matia is incredibly independent and strong willed, but as the story unfolds, you get a really good taste of this.
I liked the twist of Matia’s dad and family being Fenerick – it was a surprising twist. And one that was really fun. Plus, it also simplified a lot of things when Matia was actually turned. That, and then her grandparents got to be far more aggressive and involved than I had expected. I haven’t read many books set in the Witch & Wolf world, but I think that I need to read more. Particularly as I’m reading them out of order and feeling like I’ve missed a little bit of the world building.
I loved that the dominant female ended up partnered with a submissive wolf. And how, even if he is submissive, he’s still willing to go toe to toe for anyone for his mate. The dynamic is one that I don’t necessarily get to see often in the paranormal romances that I read, which made me thoroughly enjoy this different spin on a romance.
Title: Riding Bitch Author: K.W. Jeter In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Horror Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Short story Year: 2007
Riding Bitch jumped around a little in its timeline, but overall had a pretty uncomfortable, dark vibe to it throughout. I kind of loved it too. The fact that it took me a little while to figure out what was going on from the bar to the past just added to that spooky and uncomfortable feeling. Which, of course, is what made me thoroughly enjoy reading this.
It was really hard to tell what was reality and what wasn’t throughout this tale. I mean, it involved drugs, speeding and gross bodily transportation. You don’t want to believe that everything within this is reality, but then, it felt like the majority of it was. I loved this blurring of fiction and reality throughout.
This short story left me feeling eerily uncomfortable. I can’t really explain why, but I definitely had goosebumps. Which is kind of why I enjoy reading horror short stories.
Title: Real Men Knit Author: Kwanda Jackson Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just) Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2020
I really, really wanted to love this novel. I mean, the whole idea was great and I got most of the way through it. But, couldn’t quite get into it. I think that this was because, for me, the story as a little bit too predictable, and just kind of slow moving from the very beginning. I also hate how accepting the lead character is of being ignored, I mean, she has a backbone, and then, suddenly, she doesn’t. It was just a little bit difficult to get through.
Title: The Queen’s Gambit Author: Jessie Mihalik Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Science fiction, Space Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2017
I did enjoy this novella. But, I did find it a little bit predictable, and it didn’t necessarily grab a whole lot of my attention. Probably more than anything because it’s just not quite the genre I enjoy. I don’t mind a good SciFi, but it has to be really brilliant, and this one was just… good. If SciFi is your kind of thing though, I would certainly suggest this!
Title: Opposites Attract Author: EM Farmer Rating Out of 5: 1 (Couldn’t get past the first page) Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2017
I wanted to like this, but the writing felt slightly clunky and a little too predictable from the very beginning. So, honestly, I just kind of gave up. Which was disappointing, because I wanted to love this. Oh well, onto the next fun read.
Title: Nuts About You Author: Sylvie Stewart Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance Pace: Fast Format: eBook, Novella Year: 2023
I must say, that I’m really, really disappointed that I didn’t get to read the whole collection that this originally appeared in. I mean, it’s a whole collection of testicular stories. And, if Stewart is anything to go by, there would’ve been a HEAP of ball jokes. Which, I’m an adolescent at heart at times, so I would’ve found that absolutely hilarious. Having said that, even by itself, I really, really enjoyed this novella. And most definitely spent an obscenely long time laughing at all of the many little puns throughout.
Not to focus in too much, but I definitely enjoyed the ball jokes throughout a lot more than I maybe should’ve as a grown ass woman. A bit like the lead female in this – totally inappropriate sense of humour. One that is, luckily, slightly appreciated by her friends and loved ones. Even if it sometimes leads to awkward silences. I completely understand being the awkward girl that just verbal vomits on everyone and is a somewhat quirky individual. I just hope that my quirkiness is a little bit cute, just like it is in this novella.
I love that this is a romance that is set up by friends. It’s a fake heist that turns into a real one. One filled with a whole lot of fun. I loved each and every chaotic moment of this short story, and I can’t wait to read more of Stewart’s writing!
I absolutely adored the idea of a Dream Witch. It was a little bit unique and a whole lot of fun. Plus, the ways in which Valerie tests to see if she’s actually in a dream are good fun. I mean, she counts figures and runs through a whole bunch of steps before getting around to just pinching herself. That, and the idea of Dream witches opens up a whole new paranormal world for my enjoyment.
I figured fairly early on in this that the villain in this was going to be a bit creepy. And that he had some kind of ties to Valerie’s daily life. But, the reality was a little bit scarier and more uncomfortable than I’d anticipated. That, and he was a whole lot more involved in her past tragedies than I had anticipated.
Although Valerie isn’t totally in control now her powers, I love that she’s able to conjure her mate. I truly love the ides of fated mates who will do anything for each other. Mates that are able to fight against the confines of reality. Alright, fighting snakes in your dreams with a sexy man hunk might not be my total ideal situation, but I like the idea of someone by your side while fighting the horrible snake things.
Even though I’d guessed that the villain would be someone in Valerie’s life, I didn’t actually guess who the culprit would be. I was 100% expecting it to be the dorky partner. And even if I was a little disappointed it wasn’t him, I now want his story.
Title: Misadventure Author: Stephen Gallagher In: Inferno (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Ghosts, Horror Pace: Slow Format: eBook, Short story Year: 2007
This was actually a surprisingly sweet short story, even if it was also horrible. I mean, it had this kind of nice quality about it that somehow softened the edges of the horror. I mean, it’s still slightly horrible, just less so than originally expected.
There are two parallel stories within this tale – both about children whose lives were put at risk because their friends just didn’t want to call for help. I hate that this is not a surprising bent in a horror – it just makes it all that much more depressing that for one of these stories, the outcome was not a positive one. This is probably where the greatest horror of the story comes from – that realistic aspect.
Alongside all of the different creepy parts of this story, I love how there are a lot of ghosts and their lingering. That they continuously linger all around us, trying to get their final bit of peace.
Earth and Skye 