Title: The First Time Author: K.W. Jeter In: Alien Sex (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this) My Bookshelves:Aliens, Lust, Science fiction Dates read: 21st October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: ROC Year: 1990 5th sentence, 74th page: All the other stuff was just what he’d been dreaming.
Everyone remembers their first time. Although I don’t think that this young boy really wants to remember his first time. Especially when it was so… gruesome.
Everyone’s first time is memorable. I just hope that it’s
not memorable like this… because this is just downright, horrifyingly
disturbing. Makes me incredibly glad for my awkward, uncomfortable “first
time”… at least it wasn’t like this!!!
I am completely fascinated by the human body, our inner
workings and what makes us tick. It’s probably why I love medical shows so
much… they’re pretty good at exploring that aspect of my fascination. Yet, this
short tale has kind of put me off for the time being… there’s fascination. And
there’s just this. This horrifying level of ick… but I want share too much more
because it’s well worth a read and you need the surprise like I had it!
Like so many stories in the Alien Sex collection, this is super weird and super uncomfortable. Which of course means, I kind of loved it. it was brilliant and entertaining. Dark and twisted. And really made me think a little more about my own “first time”.
Bobby has never quite fit in with his family. But when his grandmother decides that he’s a changeling, things take a turn for the worse. Only the screams of dragons seem to make him feel complete… but they might not be the safest thing to obey.
I kind of forgot how disturbing Kelley Armstrong’sstories are. They’re so much darker than most of the fantasy that fills my shelves. And there’s not necessarily always a happy ending… although it does mostly work out that way. This short story goes to the top of the kind of disturbing list… especially when the story features a boy who is so obviously not okay… and, eventually completely evil.
I’m a big believer in the idea that there is a little bit of
darkness in all of us. That it’s our choices and the influences around us which
help us to either go down the dark path, or find a way to follow the light. Bobby
so definitely chose the dark path in this story. At the beginning of the tale,
you believe that he is a victim, someone you should feel sympathy for and you
want to find a happily ever after. But, as he starts to find his own power… the
sympathy starts to seriously wane and a new emotion takes over… revulsion.
I haven’t yet read Omens and truly started the Cainsville series, I’ve only had the joy of reading a few short stories. But they’re enough to know that I’m going to love the bigger series and find Armstrong’s twisted, dark version of fantasy as enjoyable as I did with the Women of the Otherworld series. There is something way more twisted to the end of this short story than most of the other villain tales I’ve read. And the poetic justice worked absolutely brilliantly.
Title: Working for the Devil Author: Lilith Saintcrow Series: Dante Valentine #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Demons, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy Dates read: 14th – 20th October 2019 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Orbit Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: The Hall had been hell – a true hell, a human hell, withou the excuse of demons to make it terrifying.
Dante Valentine’s working relationship with the Devil wasn’t her choice – but you can’t turn down a contract with Lucifer and live. 88 Hired to kill fugitive Vardimal Santino, Dante can count as allies only a demon familiar she doesn’t trust and a small band of psychics. The thing is, Dante doesn’t need friends, she needs a miracle. Because the first time Dante Valentine met Santino, she almost died.
I’ve been meaning to get to the first Dante Valentine book for quite a while now… mostly because I’ve loved the short stories that I’ve read in this series and by Lilith Saintcrow in general. But it’s never seemed a good time to start a whole new series. But, I finally succumbed. And boy, am I glad that I did. Although now I have to wait until I have the money to buy the next books in the series… which is problematic because I want to know what happens next!!! The occurrences in this story are completely ground breaking, and normally happen about 3 books into an urban fantasy series like this… not at the very beginning!!!
Working for the Devil has kind of a tragic end. I’m hoping that things will turn out better in the next book. It was also nice to have a story that didn’t end with a happily ever after. For starters it makes me want to read the next book more than any other urban fantasy I’ve read recently. And it also is a reminder that life doesn’t exactly end up the way you want it too. I might get really mad if I find out that she’s pregnant in the next book though… that’s just not a good trope.
The amount of backstory and hints that Saintcrow manages to sneak into her storyline. She has a past lover, past injuries and a past enemy. All of which manage to jump out at her as she races to stop a demon at the bequest of the devil. It’s a pretty fast-paced storyline. Which is what I love – something that gets the heart racing, and makes it impossible to put down. I also loved that all of these past hurts aren’t fully described in the novel, but expanded on enough that you know parts of the story, and just want to know more. It also made one hell of a tough chick as the lead – someone who is totally damaged, and for me, incredibly easy to relate to.
Working for the Devil moves up my list for favourite urban fantasy stories. It has a kick arse chick with a penchant for death, a horrid history and a band of ragtag mates that are loyal to the core. Alright, it fits a lot of fairly typical themes and tropes for the books on my shelves, but there’s a reason why they fill my shelves. They’re fun, engaging and far more relatable than any of the male-driven storylines that also tend to sit on my shelves.
Title: Down Where the Darkness Dwells Author: Joseph Nassise Series: Templar Chronicles Companion In: Urban Enemies (Joseph Nassise) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Horror, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy Dates read: 20th October 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Gallery Books Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: This man was perhaps a bit smarter than his colleague, for rather than protesting he simply turned and pointed into the ranks of those behind him.
Logan is expendable. At least that’s what the head magic user in his group believes. But, when they leave Logan underground to die a painful death, he might just find a way to wreak vengeance. To get even and become more powerful than anyone ever dreamed…
This short story is kind of creepy. And makes me really feel
sorry for Logan. Which I think may be bad, since he’s the villain in this
series (that I have now added to my wishlist). After all, he’s simply a novice
and is trapped in a horrible situation by a not-so-nice man. And then makes a
bad decision that turns himself into a not-so-nice man… but still!
There is a serious level of goose bumps that this story give
you though. The depths of a mine, trying to find a Mayan treasure is how so
many adventure, Indiana Jones stories start. But they don’t normally involve
animated skeletons and magic run amok. Nor do they tend to include a guy who actually
seems more horrifying than the villain. Someone who has decided that others are
dispensable because of their lack of power. Alright, that does happen quite
frequently with villains… but something about this story made it seem that much
worse.
Although I did feel sympathy for Logan throughout this
story, that sympathy did change as the story unfolded. It was amazing how you
start off really feeling sympathy for a young novice. This quickly turns to
horror when you realise just what he’s capable of and the lengths that he’s
willing to go to. Now I want to see what a terrifying villain Logan turns out
to be in the greater series…
Jen’s new handyman arrives just as a spate of murders rocks her town. He’s connected somehow, but she’s not quite sure… yet. It isn’t until her powers finally bloom that everything falls into place.
This is just an easy, fun reader. It’s not intense. It’s not
overly memorable. Just easy and fun. And just a little bit cute. Alright, in
some moments more than a little bit. Although there is a murder or two… so
maybe not so cute…
I really like Jen’s character in this. She has a number of
secrets, but they don’t seem as dark as some of the other stories that I’ve
read recently. She also has a great backbone and almost perfect instincts. From
the very beginning she trusts Daemon, and you know that this is a safely placed
trust. Even if others are questioning it a little.
As a short story, I breezed through this and then didn’t
really find it memorable. But, as I’m writing this review, I realise how much I
loved the storyline. I think that it would make an amazing novel-length story.
Yet, alas, it wasn’t. And now I must move on and find something that rings the
same intriguing bells in my crazy little literary brain.
Title: The Falconer Author: Elizabeth May Series: The Falconer #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Fae, Historical fiction, Steampunk, Young adult Dates read: 27th September – 19th October 2019 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Gollancz Year: 2013 5th sentence, 74th page: I walk downstairs, inappropriately carryinig a cup of tea from one room to another.
Lady Aileana Kamerson was destined to a life carefully planned around Edinbrugh’s social events – right up until a faery murdered her mother.
Now, between social engagements, she slaughters the fae in secret, determined to track down that faery, and to destroy any others who cross her path.
But midwinter is approaching, and a battle looms.
Aileana is going to have to decide how much she’s willing to lose – and just how far she’ll go to avenge her mother…
I’m totally in love with this story. I can’t wait to get the
next book in the series… because seriously?!?!? The cliff hanger at the end of
this! I actually turned the page about three times because I WANTED TO KNOW
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. Who ends a story on a sentence like that? But it was so damn
good… now I just have to wait until next payday… if I can.
Although I recently read The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance, I have very few books on my shelf which feature Scotland. Let alone fantasy historical fictions which feature a strong, young female lead. Definitely something that needs to be expanded on in my collection…I loved the court intrigue that I find in English stories, but there was a little more language and history in amongst the Scottish culture. Probably also intrigued me because I have a Scottish background and it’s something that I know a lot less about than my English heritage.
Women who are inventors are becoming a quick obsession for
me. Whilst I’m not an inventor, I have a science background and I love when
women share that same STEM, analytical interest. The fact that Aileana is an
inventor in a steampunk version of historical Scotland was kind of ridiculously
exciting. I actually squealed out loud a little when I started reading about
her inventions. Particularly because all of her inventions are also weapons
that she uses to have her fun and kill multiple fae. The darkness combined with
inventions and steampunk hit my total happy spot and was written in a way that
felt completely plausible.
Fae is something that has fascinated me ever since I was a teenager and read Wicked Lovely. And I’m talking traditional fae – the ones that prey on humans and aren’t nice and cuddly like Tinkerbell. This follows that tradition – fae are not nice in this story. They are multifaceted, tricky and incredibly dangerous. Just like much of the folklore within the tales which traditionally come out of the UK. The adherence to more traditional knowledges and practices were amazing. And I loved that at the end of the book, May includes a section which details each of the fae incorporated in the story in far more detail. I think I’ll have to flick back to this a little more when I finally get my hands on the next books…
Title: Once in a Lifetime 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 Dates read: 19th October 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Bloomsbury Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: I was still very much a child, while you, just three years older, had already eluded your parents’ grasp.
She can remember the first time she saw him. And the last. It wasn’t long, but it was a once in a lifetime experience. One she will never forget.
I thought that this was going to be a bit of a love story.
From the title to the first statements of I remember when I first saw you…
there was something incredibly romantic about this tale. It didn’t quite turn
out that way. But there was still that beautiful, bittersweet nostalgia within
the story. One that left me feeling happy and complete when I finally finished this
tale.
I’ve mentioned it before after reading Jhumpa Lahiri’s stories, but I have very little experience with other cultures. In particular, I have almost no experience with Indian immigrants. But I do have experience with having a sick parent, and the difference in the story that is told here and my own was really interesting. It made moments that are so relatable also completely alien. It lent to that feeling of bittersweet memories being relived with a nice dash of love.
I think everyone has that person in their past that made
some kind of difference. That you remember with fondness, but didn’t
necessarily have much of a relationship with. For me, as with this narrator, it
was an older boy that just fascinated me for years. There are crystal clear
moments of memories that helped to shape who I am, but they also are happily in
the past. I like that this story took that feeling and made it something so
pure. It isn’t something that needs to be carried into the future, but it is
wonderfully remembered in the past.
Title: Weston Walks Author: Kit Reed In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Urban fantasy Dates read: 18th October 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: St. Martin’s Press Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: She’ll have to pack up her stuff and move into his handsome house and settle down in his daytime life, because he is probably in love with her.
Weston is rich and alone. But, that’s just the way he likes it. Until he goes underground and meets Wings. Now his life is filled with a lover. When he realises that she has begun to steal from him… he must make a choice, a woman who fills his life, or the objects that have always been there.
I loved the reflective style of this writing. It kind of
foreshadowed the fact that something untoward was going to happen. But it didn’t
give anything away. Just left you with an intensely curious and vaguely
uncomfortable feeling as the story unfolded.
The description of Weston was brilliant – within the first
few paragraphs you feel as if you intimately know the character. You feel tied
to him in a way that doesn’t often happen (at least for me) and want him to
gain happiness. All the while knowing that that’s not going to occur, again,
something about the style of writing just hints at it.
I’m still not sure what kind of mythical creature Wings was
based on. I’m thinking some kind of fae creature. But it was kind of nice to
spend the entire story trying to guess… and still not be 100% sure at the end
of the tale. it makes Weston’s experiences a little more vague and a lot more intriguing.
It’s also going to leave me up late at night thinking…
She’s been dreaming of her vampire lover for years. Now she just has to wait until he finally comes to claim her. But, things may not be quite as they seem when she finally returns from her trip to Transylvania.
I really wouldn’t call this a romance. And I would not have
expected to find such a story in a collection of vampire romance stories. There
is just nothing romantic about this tale. Obsessive, yes. Vampiric, kind of.
But romantic? Nope, nope, nope. And if someone reads this thinking that it’s
romantic… they need to sort their brains out a little better…
Ever since Twilight came out, I didn’t really understand the
vampire obsession. After all, vampires feed on humans. In the last few years,
I’ve read some stories that are romantic and lustful, but that teenage, angsty
attachment and obsession? Still really don’t get it. This short story kind of
feels like it echoes that. This woman is completely fixated on the idea of a
vampire lover that visits her in her dreams. But I’m not sure that he’s
actually real. Her obsession turns to a sickness of some kind and I kind of
like to believe that the end of the story is actually a gentle way to say that
it is the end of her life. Completely due to a weird obsession and an inability
to find the reality in the world.
In a book of romantic, lustful tales, this short story leaves
you with a somewhat uncomfortable feeling. It’s a bit huh, a bit weird, and a
complete reminder of the idea that sometimes we need to stop and look at our
obsessions. Pause so that we can take a step back and fix our own mental
health. Or at least, that’s what this story reminded me of.
They’re all colours and they’re all connected. But what happens when the yellow member is certifiably insane? Do they stop him from his rampage, or join with him forever?
This story was really and truly weird. And not in a, huh,
that was a little weird, but fun kind of way. Just in a… yup. That was weird. I
don’t know how to feel about it kind of way.
Which is pretty much all I have to say about it. I’m not
sure what was happening. I definitely didn’t really get into the flow of it. And
I still think about the short story with a lot of confusion while I’m trying to
write this review. The language was kind of good (which is why I actually read
it). But it was a little too convoluted and confusing for my poor little brain…
Earth and Skye 