All posts by skyebjenner

Hole in the Day by Christopher Tilghman

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: Hole in the Day
Author: Christopher Tilghman
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 22nd November 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s Grant’s sister Geneva who comes to the door when he rings, and she tries not to look surprised.

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Synopsis

Grant and Lonnie have been separated by chance and decisions… so what will it take for them to be reunited?

Thoughts

This was a nice, easy and sweet reconciliation story. Which was an incredibly positive note to end The Mammoth Book of Westerns collection. After all, this collection has been filled with all sorts of violence, love and relationships. I liked that it ended on a story about being in love and finding a way to make the wrongs of the past work.

Grant and Lonnie may not have been a couple that I was necessarily desperately routing for, but they were a couple that I appreciated and wanted to have a happily ever after. Particularly since it was obvious that half of their issues come from misunderstandings and pride. Or at least, that’s how I read it…

This wasn’t one of those short stories that I’ll rant and rave about. And I don’t know that I would necessarily reread it. But it is definitely the kind of story that I appreciated and can say good things about.

<- Days of HeavenThe Mammoth Book of Wild Journeys ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Phantom Coach by Amelia B. Edwards

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of ghost stories by women book cover

Title: The Phantom Coach
Author: Amelia B. Edwards
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 21st November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1864
5th sentence, 74th page: The words that I was about to utter died upon my lips, and a strange horror – a dreadful horror – came upon me.

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Synopsis

It’s dark, snowing and deathly cold. Queque the Phantom Coach and the journey that strikes fear into the heart of man.

Thoughts

Phantom coaches seem to be a bit of a theme in ghost stories. I suppose there should be cars in some more modern-day stories. But I’ve only ever read tales which feature a phantom coach. Which is probably why I’ve never found the idea of a horse and carriage, or a coach to be all that romantic.

This short story had a whole heap of mystery occurring throughout. There is a mysterious house with a mysterious master to begin with. Then there is the phantom coach travelling the roads late at night. It gives this whole story a serious mystical feeling that left me sitting in my very well-lit room, thinking about what I’d just read. I love stories that I think about for long after I’ve turned that final page.

I really enjoyed the setting of this story. I felt like the catching of the phantom coach was a bit of a repetitive trope. But the setting… it was beautifully described and brilliantly put. It swept me away so that when I turned that final page, it took me a moment to return to reality.

<- God Grant That She Lye StillThe Old Nurse’s Story ->

Image source: Goodreads

Kiss and Tell by Michele Jaffe

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for prom nights from hell book cover

Title: Kiss and Tell
Author: Michele Jaffe
In: Prom Nights from Hell (Meg Cabot, Stephenie Meyer, Kim Harrison, Michele Jaffe & Lauren Myracle)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Superheroes, Young adult
Dates read: 20th November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Collins
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Like little dolls, yeah, he liked to think of them that way.

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Synopsis

Miranda just wants to be like everyone else and go to the prom with the boy that she likes. But an awkward encounter and an irritating client are about to make her prom a very interesting and action-packed night.

Thoughts

Being a teenager is super awkward. It doesn’t really matter how you look at it, that’s just a fact. But being a teenager with superpowers? Yeah, that would be particularly difficult. Which is why I loved this story – it’s all about a girl who is just trying to navigate the horrible teenage years. But then has all these extra, added difficulties.

All in all, I didn’t think that this was the worst prom night ever. In fact, it seemed like it would actually be a little bit fun. If it wasn’t for the fact that there were multiple gunmen hunting different people. And, there is a happily ever after moment at the end of this which was seriously sweet.

Sibby is a bit of a pain in this story. But Miranda is a great lead and completely drew me in. They balanced each other well, and I had this image of the two finding a way to be friends long after the ending of this story. I mean, an irritating Kiss Bandit and the Roller Derby Princess? That’s a friendship that I can get behind.

<- Madison Avery and the Dim ReaperHell on Earth ->

Image source: Harper Collins

God Grant That She Lye Still by Cynthia Asquith

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of ghost stories by women book cover

Title: God Grant That She Lye Still
Author: Cynthia Asquith
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Horror
Dates read: 20th November 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 1931
5th sentence, 74th page: I thought I should never see anything more beautiful, but I did the next time I saw her, for the variety of her beauty was unending.

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Synopsis

He’s found the woman he loves – but she’s put upon by a mysterious affliction. One that could just be the death of her.

Thoughts

I really struggled with this short story. I’m not sure if it was the story, or the fact that there was a whipper snipper going on out the front of my house. Either way, I reread certain passages and just generally had trouble reading this.

This story made me think of Dracula and Jekyll and Hyde. They had that same feeling of possession and mystery that these classics both have. Plus, the language was actually really similar. Pleasantly so.

I gave this short story such a low rating because I just didn’t get into it. Having said that, I did enjoy the process of reading it. I just wouldn’t want to try again.

<- Front Row RiderThe Phantom Coach ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Heart is Always Right by Lilith Saintcrow

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for death's excellent vacation book cover

Title: The Heart is Always Right
Author: Lilith Saintcrow
In: Death’s Excellent Vacation (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Gargoyles, Paranormal fantasy, Romance
Dates read: 19th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: EvilMart probably didn’t prepare her for this.

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Synopsis

A gargoyle with a crush realises that the woman he’s been crushing on might just be his ticket to looking… well, less gargoyle-like. But he has to sacrifice his Heart first.

Thoughts

This was such a cute and sweet short story. I love that there are so many different meanings to the title, depending on what point of the story you are at. The different meanings drew me in completely and left me feeling very happy and content.

I don’t get the privilege of reading many stories about gargoyles. But, ever since watching The Hunchback of Notre Dame, I’ve been fascinated with gargoyles. Happily looking forward to any of the stories I can find that feature these creatures.

The lore and the worldbuilding in this short story are intense. I honestly can’t believe that there aren’t more books set in this world. It is just so damn textured and detailed. I want more!

<- Thin WallsThe Demon in the Dunes ->

Image source: Amazon

Front Row Rider by Muriel Gray

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of ghost stories by women book cover

Title: Front Row Rider
Author: Muriel Gray
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Ghosts, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 19th November 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: No need to look.

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Synopsis

She’s seen him everyday since that fateful day on the rollercoaster. But now she wants to confront him.

Thoughts

Well, I didn’t see that twist at the end coming. It was brilliant. And made me smile happily. After all, I like to be surprised at the end of a story, and this one was actually a pleasant surprise.

I was completely expecting this to be a story that featured a grim reaper and a woman who couldn’t die. That most definitely wasn’t the case and I really like the direction that this story went in instead. The flick of perspectives at the very end and the different point of view that this flicking told was very well done.

Instead of being a bit of a terrifying ghost story, Front Row Rider was a much more positive and, well, cute story. I’m not entirely sure why I think that this is so cute, that, again, may say something weird about my psyche. But cute I found it.

<- Forget Us NotGod Grant That She Lye Still ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Feeling From Over Here by Gabrielle Tozer

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for begin, end, begin book cover

Title: The Feeling From Over Here
Author: Gabrielle Tozer
In: Begin, End, Begin (Danielle Binks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Contemporary, Young adult
Dates read: 18th November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: That night he’d drafted a text, scribbled a letter, started Facebook message, but he didn’t follow through with any of them.

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Synopsis

Lucy Faris is stuck on a bus to Melbourne. Which would be bad enough, if it wasn’t for the fact that the boy she thought she liked, and then decided she hated didn’t just get on and sit down next to her…

Thoughts

This short story has an amazing pace to it. It’s not necessarily quick, and it’s most certainly not all that typical. But it worked. I love that each little segment was split into the time at which it happened. Sometimes large gaps of time, sometimes smaller. It was an absolute pleasure to proceed through this journey, one step at a time.

I love that Lucy is a completely kick ass year twelve. She has definitely got a bit of attitude, and plenty of gumption to herself. She’s fun and a little bit quirky. The messages that she is constantly sending to her friends just help to top off her great characterization. Then, flipping her point of view with Cam’s to show why he has acted in certain ways… well, it helped me to bond with both characters in a very short amount of time.

I imagine that a year from the ending of this story, Lucy and Cam totally got together. And had some kind of happily ever after. Because I’m a sap who totally believes in love stories.

<- Oona UndergroundLast Night at the Mount Solemn Observatory ->

Image source: Harper Collins Australia

Forget Us Not by Nancy Kilpatrick

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of ghost stories by women book cover

Title: Forget Us Not
Author: Nancy Kilpatrick
In: The Mammoth Book of Ghost Stories by Women (Marie O’Regan)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Death, Ghosts
Dates read: 18th November 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: The back lanes of this city are full of strays and it breaks your heart that they live outdoors in such frigid weather.

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Synopsis

You’ve just lost the man that you love and you’re struggling to move on with life. But, a chance encounter with a cat acts as a great reminder that you may never forget, but you should still live.

Thoughts

At first I found the first person point of view of this story to be a little clunky. Although, that may be partially because I didn’t want to be thrown into the point of view of someone who has lost their husband. That’s a pretty terrifying thought.

I was honestly waiting for a tragedy to occur right throughout this story. It didn’t, actually, ultimately this was kind of uplifting. In the end, rather than being about tragedy, this was a short story that was about what happens after a tragedy.

The end of this story was hopeful. It was a reminder that even after people have left our lives, we still need to live and experience our own happiness and bliss. And it’s also important to stop and mourn the loss of a loved one, or two. No matter how crappy that might feel.

<- My MoiraFront Row Rider ->

Image source: Goodreads

Days of Heaven by Rick Bass

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: Days of Heaven
Author: Rick Bass
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 18th November 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: By that time of day it would be too hot to do anything but take a nap, so that’s what I’d do, upstairs on the big bed with all the windows open, with a fly buzzing faintly in one of the other rooms, one of the many empty rooms.

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Synopsis

He’s led an idyllic and happy life. That is, until two horrible men buy the property that he works on, and the days of heaven seem numbered…

Thoughts

I did really enjoy the nostalgia in this story. Particularly the reflection on the past and the desire to regain that sense of idyllic innocence and enjoyment. It made me think about my own childhood and the idyllic nature of it. Or at least, those moments that are coloured by rose-tinted glasses.

Although I think that nothing is “heaven”, it is obvious with the arrival of murder, mayhem and sinister plots that unfold. Yet, at the end of this story, it felt like maybe things weren’t quite as sinister as they seemed…

I did enjoy the rambling, reminiscing feeling of this story. It was nostalgic and not entirely expected. But also seriously enjoyable.

<- The Waterfowl TreeHole in the Day ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Golden Age by Walter Jon Williams

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for dead man's hand book cover

Title: The Golden Age
Author: Walter Jon Williams
In: Dead Man’s Hand (John Joseph Adams)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Superheroes, Weird western, Wild west
Dates read: 17th November 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Titan Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: He whirred right over my head, and I felt the breeze from his cape on my face.

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Synopsis

The days of the Gold Rush are over. And, somehow, they have been overrun by a bunch of completely insane superheroes and supervillains running around in capes on their own personal crusades.

Thoughts

I could not stop laughing all throughout this short story. It was quirky and weird. And filled with a great humour that left me grinning. After all, it’s ultimately about a bunch of superhero-type characters running around the wild west. Actually, it’s more supervillains… but the humour and entertainment is still the same.

I absolutely loved that this story focused on the Gold Rush and the lack of law in the land at the time. But, then to overlay this, there were mortal enemies, insanity and all sorts of questionable decisions. There was also a constant discussion of the fact that they are all mad. It’s just a special kind of madness, running around, donning a persona and just generally wreaking havoc and mayhem. A madness that I can 100% get behind by the way.

The Golden Age is a really funny, cute and light short story. It had me giggling and smiling throughout the entire story. There was great wit and entertainment to the shenanigans throughout this. I would most definitely read this again and again whenever I need a light pick me up.

<- The Devil’s JackNeversleeps ->

Image source: Amazon