All posts by skyebjenner

Skein of Sunlight by Devon Monk

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: Skein of Sunlight
Author: Devon Monk
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 9th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Maddie still crouched, set herself, feet strong beneath her, shoulder forwards, knitting needles in her hand, ready for the impact.

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

Maddie has survived a lot and come out on the other side with a strong sense of self. But all she really wants to do is find her perfect shop and immerse herself in the world of yarn. A chance meeting might just be the answer to all of her dreams. Or her death, one can never be really sure with vampires involved.

Thoughts

One of the few things that my mother and I share in common is a love of craft. I’m not quite as obsessive as she is. But I do share the obsession and fascination in the ways in which a simple piece of yarn can be turned into a beautiful jumper or scarf. A piece of clothing or decoration. The possibilities when you walk into a yarn shop are endless. Add to that a vampire story, and you also have an eternity in which these possibilities can occur.

I’ve been really enjoying the few Devon Monk stories that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Which meant that it was really nice to end my reading of The Mammoth Book of Vampire Stories 2 with a story by such a well-loved author. Actually, it makes me want to pick up yet another one of her books and sink my teeth into it… I’m trying for a little self-control right now since I’m currently reading 25 books… but the temptation is seriously niggling.

Although this story is about yarn, it’s also about that part of growing older. When the shiney sheen of hope and life have started to wear and you look at the world around you with a more jaded point of view, but one that tends to be a little better balanced. And, it gives a great opening for a happily ever after that you can walk into with your eyes wide open.

 <- Circle Unbroken ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Vampire Stories by Women Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Conquistador de la Noche by Carrie Vaughn

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for kittys' greatest hits book cover

Title: Conquistador de la Noche
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.4
In: Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn) & Vampires: The Recent Undead (Paula Guran)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 8th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 20
5th sentence, 74th page: When will Ruiz return?

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

Ruiz has been made into something he never dreamt existed. Never wanted to be and would rather didn’t exist at all. But he might be able to find a new beginning for himself, and just a small spot of revenge.

Thoughts

I don’t know much about the Spanish settlement of the Americas. Actually, Zorro is my only exposure to such a time period and theme. Which of course meant that this short story fascinated me from the outset. Especially since Ricardo was a particularly noble and honourable lead. One who was thrown into the world of the paranormal incredibly unwillingly.

Most stories I read about vampires feature a character who is turned against their will. And this paranormal rape is frequently overlooked or glossed over. Yet, that doesn’t happen in this short story. Actually, the main focuses of this is on the horrors and atrociousness of being turned against your will. It makes you feel incredibly sympathetic towards Ricardo and make you question all of the vampires you’ve read about in books so far.

There is a bit of a Christian overture to this story. One which seriously begs the question – how do you live when your life is a sin? But suicide is also a sin? How can you balance your belief against such a horror and intensity?

 <- A Princess of Spain ReviewThe Temptation of Robin Green Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Gift Wrap by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for wolfsbane and mistletoe book cover

Title: Gift Wrap
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #8.4
In: Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris & Toni L.P. Kelner)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 16th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gollancz
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Ah, do you need me to leave you alone for a second before I help you into the shower?’ I asked, indicating the toilet with a tip of my head.

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

Synopsis

Sookie is alone on Christmas Eve and feeling incredibly lonely… and then she finds a surprising body in her backyard and things take a turn for the more… interesting.

Thoughts

I wasn’t really sure what to expect from a Sookie Stackhouse Christmas short story. I knew it would be a little off-kilter and a lot of fun. But beyond that… really not sure how Charlaine Harris would deal with the theme of werewolves and Christmas in the Wolfsbane and Mistletoe anthology. Turns out, she dealt with it brilliantly, kind of amusingly and in a really engaging way.

There seems to be this idea that there is nothing sadder than being alone at Christmas. As someone who has a partner who works away at this time of year every year… I actually don’t think that it’s that sad. But it is incredibly lonely. This story highlights that, and also the joy that you get when you get an incredibly unexpected gift. Although, you don’t truly realise that Sookie’s fun, adult times with a hot stranger, is a gift until the very end of the story.

This is a seriously fun and beautiful Christmas story. It encompasses that Christmas feeling of family and company, but does so with a wonderful dose of paranormal entertainment. And a good, heavy dose of lust throughout.

<- Wolfsbane and MistletoeThe Haire of the Beast ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Tacky by Charlaine Harris

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: Tacky
Author: Charlaine Harris
Series: Sookie Stackhouse #6.5
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 8th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Several female Weres were kneeling on the ground around the moaning ex-wife.

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

Synopsis

Dahlia is the Maid of Honour in an incredibly controversial wedding. One that could end in tears… tears of happiness or devastation… no one’s entirely sure. But as long as the bridesmaid dresses aren’t tacky!

Thoughts

I still haven’t met Dahlia in the main Sookie Stackhouse series, probably because so far I’ve only read Dead Until Dark. But, I’ve read a number of short stories which feature her, and I completely adore those. She is spunky, hardcore and has a major attitude problem. All the sorts of things that I thoroughly enjoy in a heroine. The fact that she’s a lot older and unaware of some wedding traditions such as “ugly bridesmaid dresses” just made me love her all the more.

The vampire and werewolf war is something I come across many, many times in my paranormal fantasy literature. Yet, I was still pleasantly surprised to find one such story in My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding. After all, weddings are a great way to bring together warring peoples, regardless of whether its paranormal or political.

One of my favourite aspects of this story is that it is supposed to be “the” social event of the year. The fact that it becomes even more talked about when an attempted assassination and violence are involved… well, it just makes me want to pick up the Sookie Stackhouse books even more. After all, it is dealing with the paranormal world, weddings, and peoples’ perceptions in a way that I not only thoroughly enjoyed, but could also seriously relate to.

<- Charmed by the MoonA Hard Day’s Night-Searcher ->

Image source: Amazon

Mate Set by Laurann Dohner

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover mate set laurann dohner

Title: Mate Set
Author: Laurann Dohner
Series: Mating Heat #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Werewolves
Dates read: 8th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Mika sighed and dropped her own.

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

It’s werewolf mating season. All the males are in heat and the driving, sexual lust of their beasts is almost uncontrollable. Mika is human, in an alley, surrounded by four horny werewolves. She knows she’s in deep shit. A tall, handsome werewolf rescues her then demands payment. Hot, sweaty, intimate payment. Grady is a half breed whose human mother abandoned him to his werewolf father, so he knows human women just aren’t safe to fall in love with. The wolf within him wants Mika as his mate, but Grady will not give in. Never. Ever. He’s willing to fight his emotions and his beast, no matter how much sexy Mika tempts him. But neither of them expected her Uncle Omar to assign Grady to protect her from other males—24/7, in her home, sleeping just down the hall. Mika decides to make the best of her vacation and keep the hot wolf in her bed. Grady can’t resist the scorching sex, but he is determined to resist the bond.

Thoughts

The night that I read this I had some serious insomnia. Which was annoying… but on a positive note, I spent that time reading this very fun, cute and kind of lustful novel. Mostly because it was on my ereader and I didn’t want to keep my partner up throughout the night… and boy am I glad that I spontaneously decided to read this… I absolutely adored it and just couldn’t put it down!!!

If you’re planning on reading this, as a bit of a warning – there is a potential rape scene. A close call that is intensely uncomfortable and not for those that can be triggered by such an event. However, it is fleeting, in the beginning and afterwards, makes an incredibly comfortable and fun journey. One that I can’t imagine not having read now that I’ve finished it. Having said that, in this trigger scene, I did reach out for my very big, stocky, protective dog and pull him in close…

As with a lot of the romances that I read, this story featured a woman who is the submissive character in the partnership. Not really a position that I take myself, but one that does tend to work in paranormal romance stories. However, Mika is able to still find a way to stick up for herself. She is able to call Grady on his bullshit and find a way to keep her sense of self, even as she falls head over heels for a guy she’s convinced she can never have.

One of the most common tropes of a paranormal romance (and yes, this book fits a lot of them, but it’s still great), is one or both of the romantic leads stuffing it up in some way or another. Grady does this fantastically in this story. In such a way that made me scream moron and then laugh, because hey, it was late at night and he was kind of cute in his moron-cy. Actually, most of his actions were kind of that typical male inability to remember how communication actually works…

 <- Mating Brand ReviewHis Purrfect Mate Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Dancing Chickens by Edward Bryant

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for alien sex book cover

Title: Dancing Chickens
Author: Edward Bryant
In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow) & Darkness (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Science fiction
Dates read: 8th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: ROC
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: “Good-bye,” I say.

Synopsis

The aliens have been lingering over the city for a year, so people mostly ignore them. What do they want and when will they take it?

Thoughts

I’ve read a lot of science fiction stories that start to dabble in the world of horror. Nothing intense and outright, but enough that when you close the last page, you do have goose bumps running up and down your arms. This short story doesn’t flirt with that line. It is firmly in the horror realm of writing and completely creepy. I don’t think I’m going to want to be eaten any chicken for a little while now…

My biggest question as I was reading this was WTF?!?! Who thinks its funny to dance a chicken carcass across the table? Or the road? Or really make a dead anything dance at all? This is where the horror aspect comes in… there was just something so graphic and horrifying about that imagery. Something that I still can’t get out of my head as I write this review…

The imagery, the graphic nature and the questions that this poses (what do the aliens really want?) in this short story left me feeling seriously uncomfortable. Not in the least bit interested in picking up another Alien Sex short story again for a little while… too many ick factors going on in my brain (although I’m still super intrigued for the next story)…

 <- When the Fathers Go ReviewRoadside Rescue Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for queen victoria's book of spells ellen datlow book cover

Title: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells
Author: Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling, Delia Sherman, Jeffrey Ford, Genevieve Valentine, Maureen McHugh, Kathe Koja, Elizabeth Wein, Elizabeth Bear, James P. Blaylock, Kaaron Warren, Leanna Renee Hieber, Dale Bailey, Veronica Schanoes, Catherynne M. Valente, Ellen Kushner, Caroline Stevermer, Jane Yolen, Gregory Maguire, Tanith Lee & Theodora Goss
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Short story collections
Dates read: 8th June – 6th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The sisters and I said nothing to one another, as I speak no German and they no English, but we watched the flames together until they seemed satisfied and departed, I know not where.

Synopsis

Gaslamp fantasy, or historical fantasy set in a magical version of the nineteenth century, has long been popular with readers and writers alike. Many wonderful novels, such as Stardust by Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and The Prestige by Christopher Priest, ower their inspiration to works by nineteenth-century writers, including Jane Austen, the Brontes, Charles Dickens, and Anthony Trollope. And, of course, the entire steampunk genre and subculture owes more than a little to literature from and inspired by this period.

Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells is an anthology for everyone who loves neo-Victorian fiction and modern fantasists using vintage settings, characters, and themes. Their approaches stretch from steampunk fiction to the Austen- and Trollope- inspired works known as fantasy of manners. The result is eighteen stories by experts from the fantasy, horror, main-stream, and young-adult fields, including both bestselling writers and exciting new talents, who present a bewitching vision of a nineteenth century enhance (or cursed!) with magic.

Thoughts

This is an absolutely brilliant collection. One that I didn’t want to put down and introduced me to a whole new genre. It’s my first ever Gaslamp collection, and although I found some of the stories throughout a little weird and intense… I also loved the vast majority of them. Enough so that I plan to read this again and again in the future.

I was expecting a pretty simple and balanced collection. I really wasn’t expecting such a convoluted and twisted set of stories. But, as I’ve often found in life, it’s those unexpected surprises are the best and most exciting aspects of life. They’re the moments that you don’t want to forget because they were unplanned. And this anthology kind of felt like that.

I tend to read a lot of short stories late at night. Or when I’m just needing a quick little break from the many complexities of my PhD. This is not the collection that does that for me. It’s seriously intense, completely unexpected and very full on. The kind of short stories that you want to read when you have your concentrating brain working… not when it’s late at night and you just want some easy entertainment…

<- PoeQueen Victoria’s Book of Spells ->

Image source: Amazon

Night Vision by Maria V. Snyder

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

Title: Night Vision
Author: Maria V. Snyder
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Family,  Paranormal romance
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Sure enough, light gleamed from the windows despite the late hour.

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

Sophia has been a recluse for most of her life. For good reason – she’s a Light Bender. But, when a chance run in has her involved with an intriguing government agent… she might just have to readjust all of her priorities in life.

Thoughts

Absolutely loved the idea of a “Light Bender” that was the core paranormal stake in this story. It was a completely unique take on a paranormal being. And one that I found more relatable and plausible than many of the paranormal beings I read about (at least the light sensitivity and ability to see in the dark anyway).

I love that this story features two really strong familial ties. Firstly, the man in this story is after the kidnappers of his sister. He risks everything to save her, and isn’t able to accept her powers until he meets Sophia. Then there’s Sophia – her father literally gave up everything to keep her safe and protect her from the horrors of the night. Both men will do anything for their families. And this was just such a beautiful theme throughout.

This isn’t a smutty, intense romance – it’s something simple and sweet. It takes a while for the romance part of the story to set in, and even then, it is secondary to the main plot line. Something that I thoroughly enjoyed. Since, after all, most of the time romance takes a backstory to our daily lives too.

 <- Once a Demon ReviewPele’s Tears Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Altar Boy by Jonathan Maberry

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for urban enemies book cover

Title: Altar Boy
Author: Jonathan Maberry
Series: Joe Ledger Companion
In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Thriller, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Gallery Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: “She was brilliant.”

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

He’s a “recovering bad guy”, but when he gets involved with a woman, he might just have to question his priorities.

Thoughts

I love that this short story features a “recovering bad guy”. Unlike the other short stories in the Urban Enemies collection, this villain isn’t really trying to be a villain anymore. Rather, he is trying to atone for some of the horrifying acts that he has committed in the past. It’s a nice change from the more typical villain stories throughout the collection.

Altar Boy is kind of tragic – a man is atoning for his past and his sins, but he can’t be left in peace. He’s attempting to find a way in which to just exist is hopeful at the beginning. But, when he is once again forced to face up to his past, things take a more sinister turn. And it’s actually kind of heartbreaking in their eventuality. It doesn’t matter what he does, he has to find a way to justify his actions that are, after all, for the greater good.

One of the most powerful aspects of this story was the key question that it asks you: when has biological weaponry gone too far? It’s an incredibly relevant and scary question in today’s society and one that I kept on playing with like a loose tooth long after turning the final page.

 <- Bellum Romanum ReviewMake it Snappy Review ->
Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Ballad of Kate Eddowes by David Bishop

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: The Ballad of Kate Eddowes
Author: David Bishop
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Music
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: She could have sold them on her own, just by singing.

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

Kate Eddowes wasn’t just a victim, she was also a person. And one man is determined to make sure that she’s remembered for that.

Thoughts

This is a great flickering story – it jumps between the present and the past surrounding Kate Eddowes murder. And brings to life the woman who lost her life. By showing the before and after of her murder, The Ballad of Kate Eddowes brings to life a woman who is only normally considered as a victim, and not a being in her own right.

This short story is all about making the victims of Jack the Ripper REAL. They’re not just people who were killed, but they lived a life beforehand. They left behind lovers and friends, enemies and people who would miss them. It’s the most realistic and touching of the stories so far in The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories collection. Because it diminishes Jack’s acts and highlights what he destroyed…

There is music interspersed throughout this story. After all, it’s a ballad of love and loss. One that will make you stop and actually consider who was lost before you think about who did the taking.

 <- An Anatomically Inspired Tale ReviewThey All Love Jack Review ->
Image source: Amazon