Title: Last Rites Author: Louise Cooper In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Death, Fantasy, Magic Dates read: 30th April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: Again the warning gesture, but now the sly humour was back.
They’re in a world surrounded by chaos. And their leader is about to pass on… who will perform the last rites?
This was a seriously tripped out story. I did enjoy it. But I can’t really remember much of what happened… I suppose many of the more trippy stories that I read are like that though. They have this ethereal quality that makes you feel like you’ve forgotten what you’ve read… even though you only just turned the last page. And it’s kind of suited that a story about chaos does this so well…
I think that this is one short story that I’m going to want to read again and again. It is intriguing and was most certainly enjoyable. But I felt like I was constantly missing things as I went through the story. There were so many symbolic moments interwoven throughout the story and tales of chaos. Moments that may have a little more clarity to them after I read through this story a second time.
Definitely an enjoyable short story. One that I look forward to reading again in the future. It is the kind of story that will intrigue and enthral. The world of chaos and the questions it raises at the end… well, it was really quite intense.
Title: Eldest Author: Christopher Paolini Series: The Inheritance Cycle #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dragons, Medieval fantasy Dates read: 21st – 29th April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Knopf Year: 2005 5th sentence, 74th page: After dinner, Eragon and Saphira flew together.
Darkness falls…despair abounds…evil reigns…
Eragon and his dragon, Saphira, have just saved the rebel state from destruction by the mighty forces of King Galbatorix, cruel ruler of the Empire. Now Eragon must travel to Ellesmera, land of the elves, for further training in the skills of the Dragon Rider: magic and swordsmanship. Soon he is on the journey of a lifetime, his eyes open to awe-inspring new places and people, his days filled with fresh adventure. But chaos and betrayal plague him at every turn, and nothing is what it seems. Before long, Eragon doesn’t know whom he can trust.
Meanwhile, his cousin Roran must fight a new battle–one that might put Eragon in even graver danger.
Will the king’s dark hand strangle all resistance? Eragon may not escape with even his life. . . .
I vaguely recalled reading this novel years ago. But, as I reread it… I seriously began to doubt my memories. There was just so much in this novel that I didn’t see coming and which completely pulled me in. There is just a great sense of intrigue and interest in this story… an amazing journey that doesn’t end the way you expect. Although, it does end in a great way. Now I can’t wait to read Brisingr… a book that I know I’ve never read before…
After Eragon’s rough entrance into the world of the Varden and the battles he must face in the future, there is a nice little period of quiet in his and Saphira’s lives. It was actually quite nice to start this book in a period of quiet before the storm. It helped to get to know a little more of the political ramifications of the storyline and characters in play. Which, I’m thinking is going to be seriously important for the rest of the series…
The world of the elves is one that completely reeled me in – which was probably why I enjoyed the downtime that Eragon and Saphira experienced there so much. A world in which trees are sung into buildings, pride is something that is a serious weakness and lives are lived for way too long… of course I’m going to love it. Particularly when Eragon is struggling to create a reality in which he is likely to survive and undergoing some of the harshest training he’s experienced thus far.
Yet, it is the very ending of this story that is the most intense and amazing. Not only is there the traditional, epic, final battle… but there is a great reveal. And a new Dragon Rider in the mix. It opens up a world of hurt for Eragon’s future and makes me seriously want to sink my nose into the next book… which I may just do as soon as I finish writing this review… like… right… now.
Society is abuzz when the Season’s most promising debutante is jilted by her intended—only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue’s dashing older brother—in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn’s witty, charming, and heartfelt tale.
When the scandalous actions of his beautiful fiancée are recorded in Lady Whistledown’s column, a concerned groom-to-be rushes back to London to win his lady’s heart once and forever, in Suzanne Enoch’s enchanting romantic gem.
Karen Hawkins captivates with an enduring story of a handsome rogue whose lifelong friendship—and his heart—are tested when the lovely lady in question sets her cap for someone else.
A dazzling and delightful tale by Mia Ryan has a young woman cast out of her home by an insufferable yet charming marquis—who intends to take possession not only of the house… but its former occupant as well!
I figured that I would thoroughly enjoy this collection just because it was created by Julia Quinn and featured the character of Lady Whistledown in some way, shape or form. What I didn’t expect was how brilliantly each of these four stories related in to one another. Mostly I was expecting four separate novellas with Lady Whisteldown’s witty repertoire at the very beginning. What I didn’t expect was to find each of the characters from the novellas in each other’s stories.
This is a fantastic historical romance collection which features some amazing new authors. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into some of their books! Each had that great sense of humour and wit that I recognise in the writings of Julia Quinn. Plus, each of the four women in these stories is strong in her own way. Strong and independent (in some cases, unusually so for this style of story). Not only does this make this collection fantastic, but it is a great hint of the type of women who filled the pages of this book with some wonderfully engaging words.
For anyone who loves regency romances, this is a fantastic short story collection. For people who have already fallen in love with Julia Quinn and her Bridgertons series…. it’s even more of a must have. There is just something about the unique voices of the four authors and the way they are able to so seamlessly intertwine their stories with each other… it is just amazing. And beautiful. Definitely a collection that I will be picking up again and again and again.
Title: Wilding Author: Isabella Tree Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Biology, Conservation, Nature, Non-fiction Dates read: 9th – 26th April 2020 Pace: Slow Format: Novel Publisher: Picador Year: 2018 5th sentence, 74th page: Well on the way to recovery in Europe, they have already been spotteed in the Oostvaardersplassen and are likely soon to be bredding in the reserve.
Forced to accept that intensive farming of the heavy clay soils of their farm at Knepp in West Sussex was driving it close to bankruptcy, in 2000 Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell tok a spectacular leap of faith and handed their 3,500 acres back to nature. With minimal human intervention, and with herds of free-roaming animals stimulating new habitats, their land is now heaving with life. Rare species such as turtle oves, peregrine falcons and purple emperor butterflies are now breeding at Knepp and biodiversity has rocketed.
The Knepp project has become a leading light for conservation in the UK, demonstrating how letting nature take the driving seat can restore both the land and its wildlife in a dramatically short space of time, reversing the cataclysmic declines that have affected most species elsewhere in Britain over the past five decades. Part gripping memoir, part fascinating account of Britain’s rural ecology, Wilding is, above all, an inspiring story of hope.
I bought this book in a sale because it looked mildly interesting, and I do love anything that discusses issues with the natural environment. What I got was an experience that I NEVER expected. One that just completely blew me away and swept me off my feet. Plus, I was reading it at a time that I was beginning the process of removing myself from the rigours of academia and ecology… something which is mentioned frequently in this book. It helped to seriously crystallise some of my thoughts.
This is a very interesting and somewhat inspiring book. As someone who wants to buy land and then “rewild” it, there were a number of practicalities which were presented in this novel. Yet, it was more than that – the terminology of rewilding, the different projects around the world and the many different issues that were faced were seriously delved into. Yet, instead of being dry, as many writers like this can be, Tree is able to recount her adventures and experiences in an engaging and intriguing manner. One that makes it seriously difficult to put this book down.
One of the biggest boundaries that constantly appeared throughout this novel was that of coming up against bureaucracy. Fighting constantly against a bureaucracy that tends to need specific details for any kind of funding. Which, in and of itself then limits the outcome of the project – by placing restrictions on what we are aiming for, what we are aiming for becomes restricted. It’s a definite issue and fallacy within the conservation community that I tend to find frustrating, and it was interesting to read about it from the other point of view.
This is an amazing book for anybody who is interested in conservation to read. It is engaging, intriguing and incredibly insightful. The amount of information that Tree manages to impart is seriously impressive – especially since she does it in such a approachable and enlightening way.
Her Mum is gone and she has to protect her little brother. But from what? You’ll never be comfortable ‘catching flies’ again.
This was a seriously creepy story. I mean, I knew it was going to be fairly uncomfortable, because all of the short stories in The Monstrous collection kind of are. But, it’s all written in the voice of a little girl…. I think I kind of hoped it would be a little less… insanely intense. And uncomfortable. And gruesome.
The little girl in this story is not the only one who has been told “close your mouth, or the flies will get in”. I am probably now never going to say that myself… this story made that an especially creepy way to think about / talk about such a thing. And, I’m pretty sure I was still missing something in the storyline. Mostly, there is just a horrible darkness of flies and death and mystery. It is truly horrible.
The part of this story that I love the most is that the girl who tells this story is a big sister. And she will do pretty much anything to protect her younger brother. Including sacrifice herself. It’s definitely something that I feel towards my younger sister…. That need to protect her. Against pretty much everything.
Title: The Brown Bear of Norway Author: Isabel Cole In: Black Thorn, White Rose (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Retellings Dates read: 26th April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Prime Books Year: 1994 5th sentence, 74th page: Perhaps I only loved New York because there were so many people there from somewhere else.
She had a penpal in Norway, but one night, when she betrayed his trust, everything disappeared. A long trip later, and she finally finds out what it means to be in love.
The story of East of the Moon, West of the Sun is one of my favourite lesser known fairy tales. It’s what the story of North Child is based on. So finding another short story retelling of this was incredibly exciting and seriously beautiful. Especially when the journey starts in New York City with a teenager on the cusp of adulthood, and ends in Europe with two people who have finally found what it is to be an adult…
If the introduction to this story didn’t mention that it was a coming of age tale, then I possibly wouldn’t have noticed. However, as the story unfolds, you do begin to recognise the hints of what it truly means t grow up. What it means to understand what love actually is (instead of what we wished it was) and take responsibility for our own actions. Yet, this is done in such a subtle way that it does take a little bit before you truly notice it.
This was a great, sweet and easy read. One that I’m a little disappointed was over. But, it did work perfectly. There is just something so captivating about this modern day coming of age and travelling so very, very far to find the one that you love…
Title: The Last Witch Author: James Bibby In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Humour, Magic Dates read: 26th April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: Paul stared at it in fury for a few seconds and came within an ace of hurling it against a nearby stone wall.
Little Sarah is the Last Witch. And all she wants to do is help. But when a reporter gets hold of the story… things might begin to change.
I can’t imagine being the last of my kind. It just seems like a horribly tragic way to be, a completely tragic existence. One that totally plucks at the heart strings. And yet, Bibby’s version of the last witch and the travels that the young girl goes through are kind of funny. Seriously witty and thoroughly enjoyable.
What I enjoyed most about this short story was the ending. The idea that the human race is still evolving, and magic is just the next logical step. And from two young people, the future version of humanity is about to evolve. It’s a nice little theory and a great way to end a story that was really quite funny. I’m not even sure why this story was in a collection about dark magic…
This is a fantastic short story, filled with this sense of hope, laughter and light. Not what I expected to find towards the end of a collection called The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic. But it fit in incredibly well. There was a little darkness and twistiness to the tale. But not much, so it helped to uplift the rest of the collection.
Society is abuzz when the Season’s most promising debutante is jilted by her intended—only to be swept away by the deceitful rogue’s dashing older brother—in New York Times bestseller Julia Quinn’s witty, charming, and heartfelt tale.
What a fantastic way to round out the collection of The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown. This was kind of funny, seriously unique and very, very cute. It also ended with a happily ever after. The final of the four couples to get their romantic, beautiful ending. Definitely the kind of novella that I love to read. Just thinking about it all over again gives me the happy feelings.
I had expected this story to be filled with thirty-six instances of an attempt at romance. That’s kind of the hint that the title leads you to believe. But, it was a much, much better storyline. Instead of thirty-six moments of romance, there were literally thirty-six attempts at just writing one, small, romantic card. Considering I have a partner who probably couldn’t really write a valentine (he’s wonderful, just not great at that aspect of romance), I felt much, much closer to David than if he had’ve proceeded to create thirty-six seriously romantic moments throughout this story.
The opening Whistledown fragment immediately pulled me into this story. Primarily because it was made clear that the male love interest was embroiled in her history of being jilted and shunned. That makes it difficult to imagine how they would get over that little disagreement and find a way into each others’ arms… but, they do manage it. And in such a gloriously fun and engaging way. Mostly because instead of being about what other people expect… their relationship becomes about what they need in each other.
Not only did I seriously enjoy reading this novella, but it was also a great ending to the collection, The Further Observations of Lady Whistledown. All of the characters / couples from the past stories were revisited, all of the fun and passion was immersed within the pages. But, mostly, this story continued to entertain and enthral right up to the final page. Particularly when the story closes on a beautiful moment that hints at the happiness that could come forever after.
Title: For I Have Sinned Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #1.5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Dates read: 25th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Absolutely perfect.
Darynda Jones revisits the sexy, suspenseful world of supernatural shenanigans she created in her Grave series with For I Have Sinned. In this Charley Davidson story, Charley helps a woman find out how she died and gives her the closure she needs to pass through to the other side.
This is my second ever Charley Davidson story. And I had no idea what to expect from it. What I loved about this though was the fact that although it’s about Charley, it’s not written from her point of view. Rather, it’s written from the point of view of one of her “clients” – a dead woman.
Throughout this short story there is the constant question of what did the departed do? There are so many different moments of mystery. And it’s only a very short story. And, even if you kind of wonder if she’s done the wrong thing… there is this beautiful sense of mystery that surprised me. But also one that I seriously wanted.
Reyes still, of course, makes a dark and intriguing appearance. Which, of course makes me just want to read the next book in this series all that much more. There is a great, big mystery going on and I want to know what it is!!!
Title: First Grave on the Right Author: Darynda Jones Series: Charley Davidson #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Grim reapers, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women Dates read: 23rd – 25th April 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: St. Martins Paperbacks Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: After a meaningful stare-down, I pointed to the exit.
With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual. Or a diagram of some kind. A flowchart would have been nice.
Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light”. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life… and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can’t she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?
I had a challenge that said I had to read a book by Darynda Jones. I knew nothing more of the woman, but I was intrigued. And now, admittedly. I’m kind of a little obsessed. This was an amazingly fun book to read and I’m seriously disappointed that I now have to wait for the post to catch up and the next book to arrive at my doorstep… so very, very disappointed.
I’ve got a few stories on my shelves that feature women / witches who can see ghosts. I may even have one (that I haven’t really read yet) that features the woman as the grim reaper. But none like this. The grim reaper in this is sassy, unique and completely unique. She’s also a little unhinged. Which is probably why I loved her so much. After all, I’m slightly unhinged, and I don’t converse with ghosts on a regular basis.
Although I love the ghosts in this story, the grim reaper aspect to it, what I really love is that Charley is constantly trying to help. That no matter what is going on, she’s fighting to help others and make a better life for anyone who needs it. The fact that she does this in a myriad of ways that generally end up with her being beaten and bruised (sometimes because of others, often because she’s just not all that lucky) worked really well for me. Every time I get in the shower I tend to have a fresh bruise, so it was nice to read about someone who is WAY more accident prone than I am.
The intricate webs of this storyline made me incredibly happy. Mostly because instead of one main storyline, there were several. All of which drew me in and had me wondering in a somewhat perplexed manner just what was going to happen next. Normally I would have the potential of guessing the answer… but with so much going on, I found it almost impossible to figure out. Which is, honestly, something that I thoroughly enjoy. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next novel!
