All posts by skyebjenner

The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk edited by Sean Wallace

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

Title: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk
Author: Sean Wallace, Jay Lake, Shannon Page, Carrie Vaughn, Anatoly Belilovsky, E. Catherine Tobler, Jeremiah Tolbert, Brian Trent, Rachel Nussbaum, Trent Hergenrader, Gwynne Garfinkle, Genevieve Valentine, Joseph Ng, A.C. Wise, Kim Lakin-Smith, Nick Mamatas, Costi Gurgu, Tony Pi, Cirilo S. Lemos, Erin M. Hartshorn, Dan Rabarts, Mark Robert Philips, Catherine Schaff-Stump & Laurie Tom
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, Science fiction, Short story collections
Dates read: 18th March 2019 – 25th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: The gremlins will be inside everything given long enough and they just want out.

Synopsis

21 tales of anarchic diesel mayhem. 88 From multiple Hugo Award-winning editor Sean Wallace, a new, cutting-edge anthology of twenty-one vibrant stories that explore the possibilities of history, while sweeping readers into high-powered, hydrocarbon-fuelled adventures that merge elements of noir, pulp, and the past with the technology of today… and sometimes a dash of the occult.

Journey into an era when engines were huge, fuel was plentiful and cheap, and steel and chrome overlaid the grit and grease of powerful machines!

Includes stories by Erin Hartshorn, Trent Hergenrader, Tony Pi, Catherine Schaff-Stump, E. Catherine Tobler, Jeremiah Tolbert, Laurie Tom, Genevieve Valentine, A. C. Wise and many more.

Thoughts

I’ve recently started to thoroughly enjoy steampunk. But this was my first excursion into Dieselpunk. And what an excellent introduction this proved to be! I was enthralled, mystified and totally sunk into some of the stories in this collection. And although it might not be my favourite collection of short stories… it certainly ranks up there.

I found this collection a lot darker than steampunk collections. There is just something about Dieselpunk that is a little more critical, and a little less optimistic than steampunk. Or at least, that’s how I’m finding it. Not that that was a bad thing, but this was certainly a darker collection than the steampunk collections and novels that have been filling my shelves lately.

As much as I loved these short stories, I did take a long time to read this collection. Mostly because I had to be in a pretty specific mindset to actually read them. There is something a little less approachable and more intense about this genre that I both loved and also found a little hard to factor into my daily reading schedules.

<- The Mammoth Book of Dickensian WhodunnitsRolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love Story ->

Image source: Running Press

On the Way to the Wedding – The Second Epilogue By Julia Quinn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the bridgertons

Title: On the Way to the Wedding: The Second Epilogue
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: Bridgertons #8.5
In: The Bridgertons (Julia Quinn)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 25th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s a happy accident, I assure you,” Gregory said.

Synopsis

Gregory and Lucy found their happily ever after. But, with a gaggle of children, how do they figure out what to name each of the children? As always, things aren’t quite as simple as they seem.

Thoughts

I like that of all the Bridgerton siblings, it is the last one that seriously wants a whole slew of children. The last sibling who decides to do the same as his mother and have eight children. Which you find out at the end of On the Way to the Wedding. What I didn’t know I needed until this Second Epilogue was to find out what they named each of their children. Actually, just coming up with those names seems kind of ridiculous.

Gregory and Lucy weren’t necessarily my favourite couple in this series, their Second Epilogue was definitely the most potentially tragic. Where the other seven are filled with happiness, wit and humour, this story definitely didn’t have that. Actually, if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m getting so used to Quinn’s happily ever afters, I would have expected this to end so much worse than it did. I was genuinely scared. But, spoiler alert, it doesn’t all end badly.

As the final Second Epilogue of the series, I was kind of pleased that this didn’t necessarily have a happy note to it. My only real complaint about romances is that when you find your one and only, things don’t always go as planned. So finishing out a series in which all the lives are damn near perfect with the potential to tear everything apart… that kind of worked brilliantly.

<- On the Way to the WeddingViolet in Bloom ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
On the Way to the Wedding | Julia Quinn

Title: On the Way to the Wedding
Author: Julia Quinn
Series: The Bridgertons #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 24th – 25th March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “Would you?” she whispered.

Synopsis

A funny thing happened…

Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happened. Except…

She wasn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson is in love with another. But her best friend, the ever-practical Lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory win her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except…

Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he is the only man standing at the altar…

Thoughts

This is a nice ending to the stories of the Bridgertons. Gregory is the last of the eight siblings to get married and, because Quinn is a wonderful writer… it can’t be simple, it can’t be easy and it has to be something a little unexpected. But, still sweet and still with that great dose of humour that has you laughing out loud throughout. Maybe not my favourite Bridgertons story, but still one of my favourite series and a great book.

The idea of love at first sight is great, it’s sweet and it’s kind of endearing. But, one thing that I liked about this was that Gregory was so damn wrapped up in the idea of true love at first sight that he kind of acted like a moron. Yes, for some it hits you like a freight train, for others it’s a more gradual falling. Which, eventually he discovers. But I loved that this kind of acted as a reminder that sometimes it’s not all angels singing… but in that, love can be so much more.

One thing that I’ve never quite understood is why women aren’t supposed to love food. Throughout this story, it is Lucy that is mostly food driven and loves to talk about the meals which are laid out in front of her. It’s a great little side of comical relief to the more serious moments, but it also highlights that we women can also be ridiculously food driven. Or at least, I know that I can be. I would quite happily stand in a room and have a conversation about sandwiches for any length of time… Lucy therefore was a little more “real” to me than her best friend (and the original focus of Gregory’s affections). After all, she’s a little outspoken, kind of awkward and in love with her food. What wouldn’t I love about such a character?

Although there are a few appearances of the Bridgerton siblings throughout this story, my favourite reappearance has got to be Hyacinth. I wasn’t necessarily nuts about her in her own book, but when she’s badgering her siblings… yeah, she’s my favourite. Especially her actions later in the book as she tries to help her beloved older brother. All in all, this is a fantastic book that I just inhaled. It’s not one that I’m likely to forget anytime soon, much like the rest of the books in this fun and cute little series.

<- It’s In His Kiss – The Second EpilogueOn the Way to the Wedding – The Second Epilogue ->

Image source: Julia Quinn

Tastings by Neil Gaiman

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for sirens and other daemon lovers book cover

Title: Tastings
Author: Neil Gaiman
In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) & Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Lust, Twisted romance
Dates read: 25th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: EOS
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: You’re very beautiful.

Synopsis

A male escort and a famous woman are spending one evening together. But what they want from each other is a little more than anticipated.

Thoughts

Any story that starts off talking about an escort and a famous woman is going to be a little interesting… especially when it’s in a collection such as Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers. Then you just know that there is going to be FAR more to this story that initially assumed… after all, it’s a collection about lust and romance in the shadier sides of the supernatural world.

As soon as I saw that this was a Neil Gaiman short story, I got quite excited. There is just something about his writing that I absolutely adore and it draws me in immediately. I didn’t expect the way that this story would go at all though. To start with a male escort who has the powers of mind reading and then switch that to the woman who then completely turns the tables on him… it was a very different approach. And one that I just completely lapped up. I was actually incredibly disappointed when it was all over. I wanted to keep reading about this incredibly weird sexual couple.

The use of a succubus was kind of expected for the collection that I read this in. But the double use of this power and the different ways in which it was manifested was something of a surprise. It was also intriguing when I’m fairly certain that one of the couple was killed at the end… it’s not outright stated. But that’s how I like to imagine the ending of this story.

<- A Wife of Acorn, Leaf, and RainThe Sweet of Bitter Bark and Burning Clove ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Totals by Adam-Troy Castro

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the monstrous ellen datlow book cover

Title: The Totals
Author: Adam-Troy Castro
In: The Monstrous (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Horror
Dates read: 25th March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: It seems strange but right for the door on the other side of the vestibule, leading to the diner interior, to be scaled to his dimensions: a novelty, he’s always possessed an awkward shape and monstrous bulk that makes breaking down doors somewhat more natural than opening them.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Clutch knows he has killed recently. But he can’t remember who. He can’t remember why. Walking by chance into an inn that feels like home might provide the answers… or just oblivion.

Thoughts

The start of this story is seriously creepy and horrific. It starts with Clutch knowing that he has killed someone recently. That he always knows this. He just doesn’t know who or why. He does know how… he literally “clutches” them to death. And then he walks into a dinner and you think that things are just going to get worse. It’s a spinetingling way to start a story. And the imagery of the blood still lingering on his clothes… just seems to make it all that much worse.

There are so many ideas about the things that go bump in the night. Although, there are always a few common, recognisable aspects among these. This story found unique ways to create new horrors, but also provided the reader with some of the classics that you immediately recognise. It’s a great mix of the traditional and the new. And spouting the things that go bump in the night as members of a corporation who just want to climb the ladder… well, it kind of mixes two things that are kind of scary.

Although this is a great little horror short story, it’s also a little amusing. In that satirical way. That way that makes you sit back afterwards and go “huh”. That was good, that made some great comments on the way that the world works. And yes, things aren’t ever equal. Regardless of how much we may want them to be.

<- The Last, Clean, Bright SummerThe Chill Clutch of the Unseen ->

Image source: Amazon

The Wings The Lungs, The Engine the Heart by Laurie Tom

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

Title: The Wings The Lungs, The Engine The Heart
Author: Laurie Tom
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, Science fiction
Dates read: 25th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Instead Karl and a handful of others were dispatched like jackals along the Western Front, each with a godforsaken contraption to use when a suitable candidate was found.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

They’ve created a brand new way to keep people alive – a Heart in a Box. But when it’s attached to a pilot who was shot down, serious moral, social and ethical questions begin to come to light.

Thoughts

At the start of this story I was a bit “eh” about it. There didn’t seem to be much that seriously was going to draw me in. And I mostly cringed at the whole idea – a heart in a box that could bring the dead back to life. And they chose someone whose heart had been impacted by a bullet… it was a set up for something of a tragedy that I was waiting to find cringe-worthy. It didn’t end up going this way. But at the beginning I did have some reservations.

Yet, after that initial feeling of reservation, I actually found that I really, really enjoyed this short story. The pilot fought to keep his job, yet didn’t really understand the politics. Actually, the whole discussion surrounding politics, PR and the media was kind of fascinating. And probably the most realistic part of this whole collection.

This is a great short story, and a great way to round out The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk. I loved this ending. It was not quite what was expected. There was a bit of a feeling of a conspiracy and it all ended on a very open note. But it worked perfectly.

<- Mountains of GreenThe Mammoth Book of Dracula ->

Image source: Running Press

Mum’s the Word by Kate Collins

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Mum's the Word (A Flower Shop Mystery, #1) by Kate Collins

Title: Mum’s the Word
Author: Kate Collins
Series: A Flower Shop Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Cozy mystery, Mystery
Dates read: 1st – 24th March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Signet Mystery
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: It’s not safe.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

I don’t meddle, honest! But can I help it if my nose for injustice is as keen as my green thumb? Now I, Abby Knight, law school dropout, am the proud new owner of Bloomers, my hometown flower shop. Im devoted to making my business grow, but I’m no shrinking violent if someone needs my help to right a wrong – even if that person is already dead…

A THORNY PREDICAMENT

So maybe Abby’s life isn’t the bed of roses she was hoping it would be. She adores her job, but a new low-cost competitor is killing her profits – and a black SUV just rammed her vintage Corvette in a hit-and-run. Determined to track down the driver, she accepts the help of unky ex-cop Marco Salvare. But their budding relationship is threatened when the trail turns deadly. Now Abby is caught in a tangle of menacing phone calls, police corruption, and murderous road rage. If she’s not careful, the next flower arrangement might be for her own funeral…

Thoughts

This is the second Cozy Mystery series I’ve had the pleasure of reading. And I only bought it because I needed a book with a florist in it for a reading challenge (and then I didn’t get to read it in time. But anyhow…). Having said that. This was fun. This was light. A little lighter than the Vintage Magic Mystery series that got me into the genre. But still a great venture into mystery without all of the scariness of the other crime novels on my shelves.

I read this at a time that the world was going nuts and I am getting close to finishing my degree, and just in general wondering what was going to happen in the future. So, reading about Abby Knight leaving her law degree to own her own florist shop was kind of nice. It was a great reminder that you should do what makes you happy, not what you believe others believe you should do. I actually greatly admired her throughout this whole story and found her plight something that I probably need to remind myself of in the coming years – it’s okay to find what makes you happy, not what makes you rich.

Abby is one of those characters that can seem to help but meddle. In some, I tend to find this a wee bit tiring. After all, if I had somebody in my life that meddled that much… they would be quickly out of my life. However, she does it in such an endearing, smack yourself in the head kind of way that I didn’t find it too horrifying. After all, she’s a character in a book, and when I was finding her meddling a little too intense… I could close the book and move onto another one. This isn’t a heart-stopping, fast-action, fast-paced book. But it is an enjoyable one. Actually, it was quite nice to have this in my reading pile for a little while – it meant that I had a book that I could pick up and put down. Without being impossibly hooked into what I was reading. It’s the kind of book that is thoroughly enjoyable, but you don’t constantly need to see what is going to happen next. Just enough of an adventure to what the rest of the books, and give me that warm, happy feeling when I turned the final page.

 <- Tulips Too Late ReviewSlay It With Flowers Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Mountains of Green by Catherine Schaff-Stump

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

Title: Mountains of Green
Author: Catherine Schaff-Stump
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk
Dates read: 23rd March 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Surely, one of those Hakodate women would want something like this at a good price.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

She’s a thirteen year-old fighting to create her and her little brother a new life at the close of the war. But will she have to give up her morals and parts of her soul so that they can survive?

Thoughts

At the beginning of this story I had a kind of sick feeling in my stomach. As the story unfolded, that feeling grew. And then… the conclusion was reached. And the sick feeling left and I was actually incredibly happy with the way that the story ended. And the karma that was dealt out. There was such a great sense of poetic justice to this story. That I seriously, seriously appreciated.

This short story shone a light on the atrocities committed against the native populations throughout World War II and in the occupation afterwards. More specifically, it focuses on the survivors of Hiroshima and the ways in which they were preyed upon… in the case of this story, preyed upon by literally everyone. It left me with an uncomfortable, guilty feeling. But also made me seriously appreciate the story that I was reading.

There is a great little Dieselpunk twist at the end of this story. One that incorporates a little bit of mythology and magic. A little bit of karma and a lot of better feelings than what the story started with. A great short story, and a pleasant way to break up all of the work that I need to do.

<- Dragonfire is Brighter Than the Ten Thousand StarsThe Wings The Lungs, The Engine The Heart ->

Image source: Running Press

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell : Susanna Clarke : 9781408856888

Title: Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Author: Susanna Clarke
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Alternate history, Historical fiction, Magic
Dates read: 7th – 23rd March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: He said that he had always thought that it was a pity that magic was not more commonly used in England; he said it pained him to see Mrs Bloodworth and her daughters washing and sweeping and cooking and cleaning from dawn to dusk when they ought, in his opinion, to be sitting on cushions in jewel-spangled gowns eating comfits.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

The year is 1806. England is beleaguered by the long war with Napoleon, and centuries have passed since practical magicians faded into the nation’s past. But scholars of this glorious history discover that one remains: the reclusive Mr Norrell, whose displays of magic send a thrill through the country. Proceeding to London, he raises a beautiful woman from the dead and summons an army of ghostly ships to terrify the French. Yet the cautious, fussy Norrell is challenged by the emergence of another magician: the brilliant novice Jonathan Strange. Young, handsome and daring, Strange is the very antithesis of Norrell. So begins a dangerous battle between these two great men. Their obsessions and secret dabblings with the dark arts will cause more trouble than they can imagine.

Thoughts

To be honest, I didn’t get all the way through this book. It was just really not my pace. Or my style. But I did get most of the way through. And then I skimmed the rest of the pages to at least get a bit of a gist of what the story was about and how it all ended.

The irony? Sitting down to write this review… I still don’t have any strong feelings or thoughts about this story.

Don’t get me wrong, I did really like the style of writing and storytelling. There was something in that alone that kept me hooked for quite a while. But I didn’t feel this overwhelming need to pick the book up and keep reading. My emotions were really just “meh” about it. Which is why I skimmed to the end. I was curious, but I wasn’t that bothered either. And since I have so many other books that I can’t wait to see what will happen next…

All in all, if you really love historical fictions that read a little bit like a telling of history. This may actually be the book for you. I can’t really fault it. But for me, who likes a bit more page-turning in my stories… I just didn’t quite get the yay feeling out of it.

 <- More alternate history reviewsMore historical fiction reviews ->

Image source: BookDepository

Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
SWEEP OF THE BLADE

Title: Sweep of the Blade
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Dates read: 22nd – 23rd March 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ilona Andrews
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: Everything had to be just so.

Synopsis

Maud Demille is a daughter of Innkeepers – a special group who provide ‘lodging’ to other-planetary visitors – so she knows that a simple life isn’t in the cards. But even Maud could never have anticipated what Fate would throw at her.

Once a wife to a powerful vampire knight, Maud and her young daughter, Helen, were exiled with him for his treachery to the desolate, savage planet of Karhari. Karhari killed her husband, and Maud – completely abandoned by his family – has spent over a year avenging his debts. Rescued by her sister Dina, she’s sworn off all things vampire.

Except… In helping Dina save the world, she met Arland, the Marshal of House Krahr, one of the most powerful vampire houses. One thing led to another and he asked for her hand in marriage. She declined. Arland is not used to hearing the word ‘no;’ and try as she might, Maud can’t just walk away from Arland. It doesn’t help that being human is a lot harder for Maud than being a vampire.

To sort it all out, she accepts his invitation to visit his home planet. House Krahr is extremely influential and Maud knows that a woman – a human, with a very questionable past – who’s turned down a proposal from its most beloved son won’t get a warm reception. Maybe she’s not sure about marrying Arland, but House Krahr isn’t going to decide for her. Maud Demille has never run from a fight, and House Krahr will soon discover that there’s a lot more to Maud than they’re expecting.

Thoughts

I haven’t had the pleasure of reading an Ilona Andrews book for a little while. I was waiting for some to come out, and then I just honestly got kind of distracted. And now I’m wondering why it has taken me so damn long to pick up the latest Innkeeper Chronicles book from my shelf. Or at least, the latest that I own…. I now need to buy the next book in the series. But anyway… this story has the usual, strength, action and intensity of Andrews’ books and I found it completely impossible to put down.

Although I did absolutely adore this story, I did kind of miss Dina in it. I am completely in love with Dina, Sean and the inn. Yet, it was amazing reading about Arland and Maud. Especially since Arland appears in the first novel, and his kind of dry humour and intense sense of honour drew me to him completely. Actually, although I think Sean is great (especially for Dina), he was my favourite of the two lead men. Partner him with Maud who is completely kick-ass from the very moment of meeting, and it’s an absolute match made in heaven… or in the inter-planetary stars.

I completely loved both Arland and Maud in this story, but for me… Helen kind of stole the show. She is adorable, fierce and independent. Her ability to find a new niche for herself no matter what world she’s in is completely admirable. My favourite part of the book? When Helen decides that punishment is okay, so she breaks another child’s arm. Her total acceptance of punishment if it means that she fights for what is right is admirable and adorable. It’s something that I myself would love to incorporate into my life, and this is a six-year-old!

Vampire lore and culture are often mentioned in the first three novels of this series. As is the fact that they’re another race from space, but that’s a whole extra aspect of this series. What I love though is the fact that this book gets into the nitty gritties of this culture and way of life. It’s one of my favourite aspects of Andrews’ writing – she has epic world building. And even part of the way into a series, there are still new worlds and things to discover. In the most intimate of details…

 <- One Fell SweepSweep with Me ->

Image source: Ilona Andrews