All posts by skyebjenner

Once a Demon by Dina James

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

Title: Once a Demon
Author: Dina James
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: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She made a wonderful effort to pronounce it, and asked if she could shorten it to simply ‘Kail’.

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Synopsis

Katrina has decided that Kyle needs a good friend. With the help of her husband, she lures this reclusive vampire into their home. But, when she finds out more about his past, she has to question everything that she’d believed to be true.

Thoughts

Unlike many of the short stories found in The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance, the two leads in this story aren’t the love interests. Actually, there’s no romance whatsoever between them with Katrina being a very, very happily married woman and her counterpart in this tale being a fairly notorious recluse. I liked the departure from the expected. It was nice to have two different people who had found their soul mates connecting on a more platonic level and finding common ground in their stories.

I absolutely adored Katrina in this story. She was so obviously in control of all of the men in her life and it was her very naïve sweetness that allowed her to do this. A bit of a reminder that we can conquer all with our femininity, as well as with a sword (but that would be other stories which feature a sword). Having the men wrapped around her finger helped to draw out the other characters and almost offer a sense of healing that was previously missing. Something that I think is so important, and completely beautiful.

Using a demon / vampire hybrid was totally unexpected. But very much welcomed. I’m actually quite disappointed that this is just a standalone short story. I would have loved to explore both the powers of Lucifer’s son and the politics behind his fall. Because, although the fall was beautifully described in this short story, I feel like there could be so much more going on behind the scenes… maybe I’ll just have to make it all up in my own mind’s eye.

 <- Grace of Small Magics ReviewNight Vision Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Charmed by the Moon by Lori Handeland

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

Title: Charmed by the Moon
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Nightcreature #5.5
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: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “I’m not supposed to see you wearing the dress until the wedding-“

Synopsis

It’s the eve of their wedding, and something just doesn’t quite feel right. Until they find the love charms… and everything seems to start making sense. So, do they truly love each other? Or was it just someone’s magic getting involved?

Thoughts

I freaking adored this short story. Which really isn’t surprising since I tend to love everything written by Lori Handeland. She manages to write paranormal romance stories which are sweet and get the pulse racing. But they’re also not over the top. Most of the time, the romance is about pursuing a truth and justice. The kind of relationship that I prefer to be in – something that is about a great connection, lots of sparks, but also a sense of each other. Actually, Charmed by the Moon is more potent at this than any other story I’ve read by her thus far.

One of the aspects of this story that I truly loved was the idea that even though the couple loved each other and were about to get married, they were still willing to risk it all. Risk it all to make sure that what they felt was true, and not the results of a spell that had been cast. It would be easy to go along the easy route, but they chose the hard one so that they could have something that was true, and not simply a figment of their imagination.

The last thing I probably loved about this story was the fact that it’s part of the Nightcreature series. I would have been a little devastated if it wasn’t, so I’m definitely glad that it is part of a larger series. After all, I don’t want the story to end there!

 <- The Wedding of Wylda SereneTacky ->

Image source: Amazon

The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko by Tiffany Trent

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

Title: The Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko
Author: Tiffany Trent
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: I won’t give you what you want.

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Synopsis

A witch bounty hunter has a score to settle. A male vampire just doesn’t want to be used as a stud. Will they be able to work together for a better future?

Thoughts

I’ve never read a vampire story where the female vampires go into heat and effectively rape the male vampires. Or use them for stud, whichever way it can be looked at. In this short story, the crazy female vampire definitely had a rapey vibe. But I did love that it was a very unique take on vampire reproduction, society and morphology. Also that the vampire society described was matriarchal, not patriarchal (another first).

A vampire, and a witch bounty hunter are a pretty fun match. Especially when they are both aiming for similar things, working on cars together and just generally fighting injustice. A very fun little connection, especially when, yet again, the woman ends up rescuing the man and being the powerhouse in the relationship. It’s nice when more common gender roles are turned about.

Whilst I enjoyed this story, it still had a bit of a lah storyline. Overall, the tale was great. But, I tended to find that it was over explained in the wrong parts, and rushed through the more interesting bits. Not really to my taste… but that could have also been my mood at the time.

 <- The Ghost of Leadville ReviewCircle Unbroken Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Projected Girl by Lavie Tidhar

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: The Projected Girl
Author: Lavie Tidhar
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Magical realism, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And someone told on her.

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

What happens when a magicians assistant truly disappears? Where did she go? Can a young Jewish boy finally solve the mystery?

Thoughts

This was a bit of a detective story. Not overtly, but the journey to find out what happened to the girl and whether the magician was guilty or not. Why did the girl disappear? It was a series of small questions that you wanted to know the answer to, but didn’t wrap you up in its power like many of the other detective series I’ve read do.

This was a great tying together of the past and the present. I’m noticing that I’m really enjoying stories which do this in a seamless way, and The Projected Girl actually moves to the top of the list for this. There is a young boy who, in reading a magician’s diary finds out that they’re connected to his family. And it could somehow answer some of the questions he just didn’t know to ask.

The Projected Girl explores Jewish culture and faith, their ties to family. It’s not a faith that I read much about, unless it has to do with the holocaust, so it was a lot of fun to do so. Especially late at night when I was a little bit overwhelmed by all the sadness in the world.

 <- Weston Walks ReviewThe Way Station Review ->
Image source: Patricia Briggs

A Few Twigs He Left Behind by Gregory Maguire

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

Title: A Few Twigs He Left Behind
Author: Gregory Maguire
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Gaslamp
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “My Caroline will feed them up a good meal as befits the day, happy as it is while being now tainted with sadness, and in all its anniversaries to come, forever more.”

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Synopsis

Have you ever wondered what happened after Scrooge saw the light? What his life was like after the events of Christmas Carol? Well, wonder no more!

Thoughts

A Christmas Carol is one of my favourite Christmas tales. Like many others the world round… and for good reason. So it was kind of fun to read a short story which takes place ten years after the events that took hold of Scrooge one fateful Christmas. Not only does he have a great new purpose in life, but he has children and a great, giving spirit.

I do love stories which feature a happily-ever-after. Life doesn’t often deliver that, so it’s nice to read about it. The non-messy, everything tied up neatly endings to a tale. But, sometimes it’s also nice to have a tale that takes place after the happily-ever-after. A story that tells you that all the good that was imbued into Scrooge actually lasted until his death and continued to flow through his life and family.

The main question that this story asks is – can ten years of good living lead to atonement? After a life of misery, can we truly remove the chains because of a late in life change of heart? It’s a question that’s going to keep lingering with me long after I’ve turned the final page on the Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells collection.

 <- The Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown ReviewTheir Monstrous Minds Review ->
Image source: Amazon

An Anatomically Inspired Tale by Betsy van Die

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

Title: An Anatomically Inspired Tale
Author: Betsy van Die
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Crime
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Which brings me to why I brought you here.

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Synopsis

She’s collecting memorabilia. He’s a descendant of one of the cops on the Ripper case. What they uncover together is unbelievable and deserves to be put in a museum.

Thoughts

It took me a little while to click as to why and how this was a Jack the Ripper tale. The only clue I had was the fact that it was in a Jack the Ripper collection. But, as the story unfolded and the macabre collection was added to, it became a little more understandable. And then I kind of loved it.

Rather than being a conspiracy, murder or historical retelling of Jack the Ripper, this was a far more contemporary and approachable story. It has also been, by far, one of the least gruesome and gross stories in this collection thus far. After all, it was about uncovering the past through artefacts, not trying to relive it or recreate it like so many other Ripper stories…

I really liked that this featured one of the detective’s grandsons, and not the Ripper’s descendants. It made the understanding of the obsession that must have driven these men and the grasping of what they faced a little more approachable and a lot more intriguing. Because, after all, one of those men might have uncovered the truth and left clues for the future generations… we may never know.

 <- My Name is Jack… ReviewThe Ballad of Kate Eddowes Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover crazy rich asians

Title: Crazy Rich Asians
Author: Kevin Kwan
Series: Crazy Rich Asians #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Asia, Book to Film, Chic lit, Contemporary
Dates read: 28th – 30th October 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Anchor Books
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Her parents supported the idea of Astrid having a “cooling-off period” away, but try as she might to maintain a low profile, Astrid effortlessly enchanted le tout Paris with her smouldering beauty.

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Synopsis

When New Yorker Rachel Chu agrees to spend the summer in Singapore with her boyfriend, Nicholas Young, she envisions a humble family home and quality time with the man she hopes to marry. But Nick has failed to give his girlfriend a few key details. One, that his childhood home looks like a palace; two, that he grew up riding in more private planes than cars; and three, that he just happens to be the country’s most eligible bachelor.

On Nick’s arm, Rachel may as well have a target on her back the second she steps off the plane, and soon, her relaxed vacation turns into an obstacle course of old money, new money, nosy relatives, and scheming social climbers.

Thoughts

I CANNOT believe how amazing this book was!!! Totally floored. Totally in love and completely gobsmacked by the awesomeness of this. I am totally obsessed with the movie, so I was kind of expecting to like that better (it rarely happens, but sometimes if I love the movie, the book falls flat). But that was not the case. This book neither ruined the movies for me, or made me never want to read the books again. I now have a double obsession, both for different reasons.

Like the movie, this book is funny, pithy and quite brilliant. Yet, there is a lot more darkness amongst the pages than in the movie. Far more manipulation and horrible activities performed by the elite that are suddenly thrust into Rachel’s life. And a more insidious approach to her relationship than the movie has. This isn’t so rainbows and puppies at the end of the story. But, in being so, it is also way more realistic and, in many ways, relatable (because who hasn’t had issues with in-laws?)

It’s incredibly obvious that Kwan has come from this society. There is a sense of intimate knowledge and understanding of how this community lives that would only be available to an insider. One that was a great piece of cultural information. Even if the anthropologist in me will never have access to such a cultural group, and, after reading this, really doesn’t want to. One of my favourite aspects of this is the fact that there are footnotes explaining all of the language, preferences and activities of the Singapore elite. It gives an extra layer of information and cultural understanding that I previously wasn’t expecting. They’re also funny and a little bit disparaging. Kind of like having the movie version Oliver’s voice as a running commentary throughout.

This book is intense, unique and completely impossible to put down. It’s not one that I will forget any time soon. It is also one that will make you want to pick up China Rich Girlfriend immediately afterwards. At least, that’s what I did. Because seriously man, I wanted to see what happened next!!!

<- More Kevin KwanChina Rich Girlfriend ->

Image source: Amazon

Unaccustomed Earth Collection by Jhumpa Lahiri

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for unaccustomed earth book cover

Title: Unaccustomed Earth Collection
Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
In: Unaccustomed Earth (Jhumpa Lahiri)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Race, Short story collections
Dates read: 20th June – 29th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Boudi, let Usha stay.

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Synopsis

Beginning in America, and spilling back over memories and generations to India, Unaccustomed Earth explores the heart of family life and the immigrant experience. Eight luminous stories – longer and richer than any Jhumpa Lahiri has yet written – take us from America to Europe, India and Thailand as they follow new lives forged in the wake of loss.

Thoughts

This is an absolutely, freaking amazing collection of short stories. It was totally unexpected and a beautiful introduction into the world of Jhumpa Lahiri’s writing. I am completely obsessed now, and eagerly awaiting for The Namesake to arrive at my door. After all, if her short stories are this amazing, a full length novel is just going to be ten thousand times better!

I grew up in a pretty sheltered community – very few people are not of European descent (predominately English and German). It’s a pretty monocultural region of Southern Australia. So reading about the Bengali culture, immigrants and the cultural experience of having your feet in two worlds was an eye-opening experience for me. In the best, most engaging way possible. Especially since, although this was a social and cultural group that I have no experience with, universal issues of family and belonging were still dealt with. Realities which many families have to deal with, but all cope with in different ways.

This story left me thinking. Hard. The themes and issues discussed are serious and intense. The battles fought and the lives lived something that I found completely relatable, and impossible to imagine all at the same time. It was an amazing journey that I will probably repeat again and again and again. After all, I read to expand my mind, and this collection did that in the best way possible.

 <- The Namesake ReviewUnaccustomed Earth Review ->
Image source: Bloomsbury

The Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown by Jane Yolen

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

Title: The Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown
Author: Jane Yolen
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: Gaslamp, Historical fiction
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: He realized then how foolish he had been, playing about with kabalistic magic.

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

A great historical rendition of Queen Victoria’s unique friendship with her Prime Minister and the journey they took to reach an understanding.

Thoughts

This story didn’t end at all as I expected. But it did make me realise that it is probably based on a true story. Which just makes it all the more fun – after all, who doesn’t like a cute little reimagining of a true, historical friendship?

I was expecting a truly dark story at the beginning. One in which the Queen is somehow overtaken and turned in a way that would be detrimental to her kingdom. (Don’t look at me like that, it does happen). Yet, it was kind of sweet, cute, and funny in the end. Alright, there were moments of darkness and slight insanity… but it was mostly enjoyable.

Sometimes it’s nice to read a story that features a male and female and just ends in friendship. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romance, but that isn’t the only way that people of opposite sexes can interact. The fact that this friendship came from a kind of magical place, and an understanding of each others’ loss was thoroughly enjoyable. And not the kind of short story that I’m going to forget any time soon.

 <- The Vital Importance of the Superficial ReviewA Few Twigs He Left Behind Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Husbands by Lisa Tuttle

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

Title: Husbands
Author: Lisa Tuttle
In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: ROC
Year: 1990
5th sentence, 74th page: I’m sure I’ve got it right.

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

What are our husbands to us truly? Would we survive without males in our lives? This story finds a unique perspective on such perplexing questions.

Thoughts

One of the most alien thing to some people is the opposite sex. Actually, we all have moments some time that make us wonder if we’re cut from the same cloth. This story explores some of that, but also just what it is about our perceptions that can so heavily impacted upon gender ideals. What is it about gender which makes everything that little bit different and unique? Why do we find it all so confusing?

This short story is almost three independent stories which tie together. All deal with how we see gender, and all ask the question – how much of it is real and how much of it is just a part of our perceptions? It’s the first non-gross story in this collection. There are mentions and descriptions of the opposite gender and the ways in which we decide to divide our communities.

Personally, I loved two things the most about this story – firstly, the way in which the three husbands are described at the beginning of the story. It made me laugh, and wonder just what kind of animal my own husband would be. Then, towards the conclusion of the story there is a description of a second splitting of people. In a world that is only filled with women, they still manage to find their own divide and lines which can’t be crossed.

 <- The Jungle Rot Kid on the Nod ReviewWhen the Fathers Go Review ->
Image source: Amazon