Title: The Roebuck Cabal Author: Martin Gately In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski) Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Crime Dates read: 4th July 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Robinson Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: But our knowledge of these suspects may serve a purpose; one of colossal misdirection.
A cabal of men get together frequently to discuss the occurrence of the Ripper in London. But what if he is walking among them?
I kind of liked this short story, and I kind of found it a
little bit slow. It may be because I was reading this late at night and wasn’t
really concentrating like I usually would for such a themed story. although I
did really love the idea of a group of men meeting up to discuss the horrors of
the Ripper, when one might have been amongst them.
This is one of those stories that no matter how many times
you read it, you’ll find something new and exciting to unfold. Which is why,
like the rest of this collection, I plan on reading it again in years to come.
A feline PI has found the victim of a murder. The only catch? He’s still alive, and the woman who is going to help him can’t talk to her feline assistant…
I both liked this short story and felt a bit “meh” about it. Nothing in particular, but I didn’t dive head first into this short story like I did with Snow Job. Maybe because I didn’t find the voice of narration as relatable. Probably because he was a he… and a cat.
One of the things I really enjoyed was the idea of finding a
murder victim… who was still alive. A vampire, the undead who couldn’t quite
explain who had attacked him and started the process of death upon his life. I
also liked that he had seven women in his life who could all have a motive to
save him… or be the cause of his demise. It was kind of cute and sweet how
different each relationship was and how he managed to care for and act a
different part for the different women.
I bought Dancing with Werewolves ages ago after reading Snow Job, after reading this short story, I feel that it could be necessary to pick this up and actually read it. instead of letting it decorate my shelves…
All werewolf Grant Marshall wants to do is rip out the throat of the man who killed his wife–then swim out into the Atlantic Ocean and never come back. He tracks his wife’s killer to a small New Jersey seaside town, where he meets Antonia, a blind tarot card reader–the woman with the power to change his fate.
If you look at my bookshelves, and my romance section,
you’ll see that I love books with werewolves and shapeshifters. If they happen
to be paranormal romances, I tend to eat them up all that much quicker. There
is just something that is so sensual and intense about stories with werewolves…
I suppose it’s the animalistic and strong sense that these paranormal creatures
bring to their stories. Which of course meant that this was going to be the
kind of story in my wheelhouse. The fact that it features a quest for revenge
and a blind, tarot-card reading woman just made it that much better.
This as mostly a cute and sweet story. Although, there was a
little extra darkness and suspense to the tale than a normal paranormal
romance. Most of the romances I’ve read lately are incredibly light and easy to
read. This still matched that description, but the idea of hunting down a
serial killer aided with creating an extra layer of suspense that I completely
lapped up.
To add an extra layer of darkness to this storyline, the motives
and voice of the murderer is added. Only about halfway through the novella and it
certainly made me glad that I was reading this novella during the day. On a
bright, sunny day. A man who preys on women he perceives as disabled is wrong
on so many levels. And it made me very unhappy and uncomfortable as I realised
he was zeroing in on my favourite blind tarot reader…
Robin Green is a virgin and a scientist. But, when her newest research subject is an irresistible selkie, she might just be willing to give up anything for the temptation of being near him.
I don’t really know
how I felt about this short story. I liked the idea, but since it was the first
story in a collection of paranormal romance tales, I was expecting something a
little more lustful and a lot less…well, pathetic. I wish I had a better word
for Robin Green, but mostly I just found her pathetic. And kind of irritating.
I’m hoping that I meet her again later in the series so that I can improve my
opinion of her.
The idea of
supernatural beings in a secret government research facility, not being treated
as humans is not in the least bit surprising. After all, history is rife with similar
activities against minority groups. And, even though this is a fantasy, it
still made me incredibly uncomfortable. Which I suppose is the aim of the
story. Or at least, one of the aims. The whole woman running away with a selkie
was probably more so the point…
I still haven’t read any of the novels in the Kitty Norville series, but, yet again, reading a short story set in that world has made me itch to pick up the series and immerse myself in a whole new world.
Title: The Book of Daniel Author: Carrie Vaughn Series: Kitty Norville #0.1 In: Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Werewolves Dates read: 12th July 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Tor Year: 2011 5th sentence, 74th page: Daniel started from a nightmare, his eyes growing wide all at once, his breathing fast and panicked.
Daniel is the right hand man of the king. But people are jealous, and their jealousy could get him killed. If he didn’t have a secret that will help him survive.
I normally don’t love stories that have a Christian
connotation. Something about going to a Lutheran high school and being exposed
to WAY too much of the faith for my comfort. But this story was the perfect
amount of Christianity and paranormal fantasy. The more I read stories like
this, the more my prejudices seem to be wiped away, or at least lessened.
When I first started getting into paranormal fantasy stories, I thought that werewolves were the paranormal creature that I loved the most (probably has something / a lot to do with the Mercedes Thompson series). But the more I read of this genre, the more obscure and fun creatures I find to fall in love with. And feline shapeshifters are at the top of that list. Which just makes Daniel kind of amazing, as this is his secret power.
The Book of Daniel takes you to a completely different world. One that existed centuries ago, before any of us were born, and even before our grandparents were a glint in their parents’ eyes. I’m not sure how this short story relates into the greater Kitty Norville series, but it certainly adds an extra layer of world building and makes me more than eager to get my nose stuck in this series.
Title: Honored Guest Author: Ellen Kushner In: The Coyote Road (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Easy reading, Tricksters Dates read: 3rd July 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Firebird Fantasy Year: 2007 5th sentence, 74th page: When I kneel before my instrument, and my fingers bend and dance on the strings, I feel as if I know things no one has ever known before.
Bright Phoenix is trapped by her greedy, malicious grandmother. But a chance visit from a tricky womann might help her escape to a new world, one where her creativity can truly shine.
This didn’t end the way I was hoping for / expecting. Which
is probably not a bad thing. After all, I love a good story that surprises.
Especially one that was as fun and descriptive as this one. We’ve all met that
someone that we completely hate, that just strikes us as not good. The
grandmother in this went that extra step further and seemed just downright
evil, but Bright Phoenix’s responses and thoughts on the old hag were still
completely recognisable.
This wasn’t a trickster story in the sense that many of the
other tales I’ve read lately have been. Jessica, or the honoured guest, might
have a trickster nature about her, but there isn’t the sense of balance and
comeuppance that characterises most of the trickster tales I’ve been reading. Which
wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I kind of would have liked to see a little
more karma, and a little less manipulation in this story.
Georgiana has never been loved by a man, despite being married to one. Now, she has found a way to learn more about the pleasures of sensuality. But what she gets might be far more than she bargained for, and everything she could ever want.
My first ever Emma Holly story and I am caught. The mixture of the paranormal race and a Victorian England type setting for the storyline was kind of perfect. I also loved the fact that although Georgiana is an independent woman, she is also strong and independent, and more than willing to find herself a new life and love.
There is something a little bit extra fun about a group of people who don’t show emotions. When I first started reading about the Yama, all I could think about was the Psy in Nalini Singh’sPsy-Changeling series. And the association was fantastic, since I loved them. And I now love this series. Or at least, I think I will… when I finally get my hands on the first novel…
Whilst this story felt like it was set in Victorian England,
it did have a great sense of world building as well. I like that there was a
lot of overlap, but also a sense of separation which helped to completely draw
me into this story. Honestly, the only problem I actually had with this tale
was the fact that I now have to wait at least a month before I can buy and
receive some of the books in this series…
Title: Dead Witch Walking Author: Kim Harrison Series: The Hollows #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy Dates read: 15th June – 2nd July 2019 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Harper Voyager Fiction Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: “Piscary’s.”
All the creatures of the night gather in “the Hollows” of Cincinnati, to hide, to prowl, to party… and to feed.
Vampires rule the darkness in a predator-eat-predator world rife with dangers beyond imagining – and it’s Rachel Morgan’s job to keep that world civlized.
A bounty hunter and witch with serious sex appeal and an attitude, she’ll bring ’em back alive, dead… or undead.
I’ve been hanging to start this book for quite a while. There is just something which draws you in about the idea of The Hollows and Rachel Morgan. Plus, I kind of needed a storyline with a little bit of sass and attitude. I’ve been reading too many cutsey stories lately, and they were starting to grate on me a little. So Rachel’s gumption, sass and independence was exactly what I wanted to read, though tearing myself away from her adventures at night before bed was incredibly difficult.
Kalamack is one of the most hated villains I’ve ever read. Like, I’ve actually never wanted to reach through the pages of a book more and strangle a guy. And that was when I read The Turn. So I was both excited and disappointed to find him appearing again in this story, which takes place over forty years after the original story. I was really, really hoping that Rachel was going to take him out… although the fact that he wasn’t really the villain in this story kind of made it a little exciting as well. He was just another obstacle in the way, and his power-hungry ways are sure to continue messing with the people of The Hollows as the series unfolds.
I’ve read a few of the novellas in this series, and the
prequel novel. And even though I really enjoyed them, they weren’t anything
compared to the actual series featuring Rachel. It was everything that I look
for in an urban fantasy and I can see myself sinking into many of these stories
whenever I need a good paranormal fix. This entire novel is filled with highs
and lows, every time you think you can relax, a new obstacle is thrown in the
way. Which of course makes it almost impossible to put down and one of those
stories that I will enjoy reading again and again.
Duration: 1st July – 30th September 2019 Number of books: 8 Hosted by:Bookworm Bitches
Rules: ~Books must be read during the selected time period. ~Post a link to the book, date you finished and rating ~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge. ~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice. ~If you don’t have a book that matches the option on the list, pick any book on your TBR. ~Copy the blank template below and paste into a new comment to start your challenge. Update as necessary.
2. Go to Random.org and type in the amount of books you have on your TBR List. Then read the book that matches the random number it gave you. – Eragon by Christopher Paolini (12th)
Duration: 1st August – 31st August 2019 Number of books: 3 Hosted by:Bookworm Bitches
There are 3 tasks, you only need to read three books to finish this challenge. Or pick one task and read 3 books for that one task. Thank you Keely for help with the ideas!
August
1. Read a book set in the past. 2. Read a book as old or older than you. 3. Read an award winning book or bestseller. – American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Earth and Skye 