All posts by skyebjenner

From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire) by Genevieve Valentine

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

Title: From the Catalogue of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous, Scheduled for Premiere at the Great Exhibition (Before the Fire)
Author: Genevieve Valentine
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Wordplay
Dates read: 4th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Even with the losses, however, the Exhibition turned enough profit to finance construction of the Victoria and Albert Museum itself.

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Synopsis

A collection of notes, letters and quotes that tell of the Pavilion of the Uncanny and Marvellous.

Thoughts

This was a bit of a weird read. Not in a horrifying or negative manner, but in a, I’m going to read this again and again to see what pops out. It’s fascinating, fun and a perfect mix of reality and fantasy. The unique structure of this story is what I love the most about this story though. It is different, fun and gives an entirely different flow to the storyline than any other short story that I have read recently.

There aren’t many stories that I struggle to see the overarching storyline… a mass of exposure tends to make things more and more predictable. But, because this short story has such a unique and completely alien format to what I’m used to, I’m still not sure I’ve fully grasped what was happening. Which I loved. It not only means that this is a story I’ll enjoy reading again, it was also a challenge. And who doesn’t love a good challenge?

 <- The Fairy Enterprise ReviewThe Memory Book Review ->
Image source: Amazon

How the Pooka Came to New York City by Delia Sherman

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
naked-city

Title: How the Pooka Came to New York City
Author: Delia Sherman
In: Naked City (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Comedy, Fae, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 4thy July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: The shoat it belonged to squealed and bolted, leaving only four and their dam for the Pooka to fight.

Synopsis

The Pooka is a trickster of marsh and bog. So he’s not entirely sure why he’s in New York City, but maybe he should just make the best of his situation…

Thoughts

Most of the fae stories I read form some mentioning of the immigration of the Fair Folk to America in some way, shape or form. There’s always a mention of the industrial revolution and a discussion of how hard it was, even for these supernatural immigrants. But I’ve never read a story that actually takes place in this time. That talks about those first moments off the boat in a whole new world that is just as convoluted and confusing to the fae as it was to the humans. Until now. And I find that I kind of love it…

As with all of the other short stories I’ve read by Delia Sherman, there is a great level of wit and humour to this story. And a slight twist to it that made it so much more fun and more difficult to put down. But, mostly I loved the nature of the trickster and the weird juxtaposition of a man who is accompanied by a fae who is supposed to save him. When the fae is so iron sick that he can barely save himself…

I loved the vivid descriptiveness of this story. I felt like I was actually standing next to the Pooka as he discovered a new world. Trudging through a new reality that I didn’t understand or quite like… but one that had so much potential.

<- CursesOn the Slide ->

Image source: Patricia Briggs

The Claire Switch Project by Lynsay Sands

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for dates from hell book cover

Title: The Claire Switch Project
Author: Lynsay Sands
In: Dates From Hell (Kim Harrison, Lynsay Sands, Kelley Armstrong & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 4th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Fiction
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Her boobs were…well…her boobs.

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Synopsis

Claire, new shapeshifter, accepts dates for school reunion with crush Kyle and his sister Jill.

Thoughts

It only took me two pages to recognise something in this novella that links the story to Run, Rudolph, Run. Partly it was the mention of Jill, but mostly it was the creepy man zapping an unsuspecting woman with a ray and turning her into a shapeshifter… it’s basically what happens to Jill. Just five years later than the activities in this novella.

I love the romance and the cuteness of this novella. It’s ultimately about a couple who have been in love since high school, but unable or unwilling to do much about it. And then, when they finally decide to take that first step, supernatural complications get in the way to make things a lot more difficult…and a whole lot more fun.

What I loved most about this tale was the fact that it was not just about the romance, but also the high school reunion. My ten year reunion is due to happen next year, and I honestly don’t know if I want to go. I just didn’t like high school. But reading about one in which everything ends on a positive and karma seems to take part in the activities… it makes me wonder whether it might be worth going, even if I can’t shapeshift…

 <- Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil ReviewChaotic Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

Cravings by Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
cravings

Title: Cravings
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton, MaryJanice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York
In: Cravings (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 15th June – 3rd July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: He leaned his face over my shoulder, and I caught the sweet scent of his skin.

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

Longings in the night…

In the heat of the night, anything goes. Boundaries are crossed and secret yearnings take shape. Creatures stalk the shadows, surrendering to their wildest needs – and satisfying hungers that take their victims beyond fear to the dark edge of desire. Succumb to the pleasure as four of your favorite authors present their favorite characters in all-new tales of bloodlust, of the kind of appetites that must be sated again and again, and of the passion that feeds them…

Thoughts

I bought this book a few years ago to read the World of the Lupi novella between it’s pages. And then I put it away because I was still incredibly new to the genre of paranormal romance. Now, a few years later, a lot more involved in the genre and more than a little obsessed, I decided to pick up this collection again. And boy, was I glad that I did.

All four of these stories have a great paranormal spin to them. They’re tales of passion, romance and lust. Stories that involved a lot more of the paranormal than the passionate. But just enough spice that I still found myself wanting a good male companion for the night. As much as I loved the passion and romance, and in many cases, sheer lust, that jumped off the pages of these stories, I mostly enjoyed the paranormal aspect of the stories. From vampires to werewolves and back again, there were supernatural beings coming out of the wood works. With a little bit of humour, a little bit of darkness and a lot of bang.

 <- Burning Moon ReviewBlood Upon My Lips Review ->
Image source: Amazon

The Battle of the Labyrinth – the Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the battle of the labyrinth graphic novel book cover

Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth – the Graphic Novel
Author: Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians – the Graphic Novels #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Greek mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 28th June – 4th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: That’s why the Titans’ army is after it.

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

Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do.

As the son of a Greek god, I’ve had my share of near-death disaster – and now my arch-enemy Luke wants to invade camp via an ancient labyrinth.

If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it’s ‘Goodbye, sunshine; hello, darkness’ as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond…

Thoughts

It took me a little longer to get into this graphic novel than the first three in the series. I don’t know if it’s maybe because I just didn’t originally like this storyline as much (it mostly just sets up the final battle), or if I picked it up at an inconvenient time. But, regardless, it took me a fair bit longer to read than a graphic novel usually would. Although, once I got past the first part / chapter, I didn’t stop.

There was a lot of information in the original novel, and a lot that was missed out in the graphic novel. But Venditti and Riordan managed to work this perfectly. I didn’t feel like important aspects were skipped out on, but rather, wondered why I enjoyed them so much in the novel. There was a great flow and pace to the storyline as you sink into the depths of the labyrinth and hope for the best with Percy and all his friends.

One of the parts of this graphic novel that stuck with me was the panels which showed Annabeth, Percy, Grover and Tyson walking through the labyrinth. Each panel has a different background to the characters and I thought that this showed the tricky, everchanging nature of the labyrinth perfectly.

 <- The Titan’s Curse – The Graphic Novel ReviewThe Last Olympian – The Graphic Novel Review ->
Image source: Penguin NZ

The Roebuck Cabal by Martin Gately

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

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.

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

A cabal of men get together frequently to discuss the occurrence of the Ripper in London. But what if he is walking among them?

Thoughts

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.

 <- Flowers of the Chapel ReviewA Small Band of Dedicated Men Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Butterfly Kiss by Carole Nelson Douglas

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

Title: Butterfly Kiss
Author: Carole Nelson Douglas
Series: Delilah Street, Paranormal Investigator #0.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 4th July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: The only recognizable things about her are the telltale wooden platform shoes, currently sprouting sharp claws two inches long.

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

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…

Thoughts

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…

 <- The Murder King’s Woman ReviewCrimson Kisses Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Burning Moon by Rebecca York

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
cravings

Title: Burning Moon
Author: Rebecca York
Series: Moon #3.5
In: Cravings (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 3rd July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: They only confused her more.

Synopsis

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.

Thoughts

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…

<- Originally HumanCravings ->

Image source: Amazon

The Temptation of Robin Green by Carrie Vaughn

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

Title: The Temptation of Robin Green
Author: Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville #0.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep) & Kitty’s Greatest Hits (Carrie Vaughn)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 3rd July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Hoofed footfalls shuffled towards her through the wood shavings that covered the floor.

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

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.

Thoughts

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.

 <- Conquistador de la Noche ReviewLooking After Family Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Book of Daniel by Carrie Vaughn

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

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.

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

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.

Thoughts

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.

 <- Kitty’s Greatest Hits ReviewBellum Romanum Review ->
Image source: Amazon